Israeli Army Caracal Battalion troops on a forced march Photo: IDF

A hospital in Haifa reported an increased demand for sperm donors that have served in Israeli military combat units.

The report comes in the midst of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, which has inspired women to seek to replicate character traits associated with combat soldiers.

Almost half of the 60 women a month who visited the Rambam Medical Center’s sperm bank in recent weeks have requested a donor with a history of combat service, according to a statement. The women can also choose hair and eye color, height and educational background.

“Women seeking sperm donors build an ideal profile in their head of the father of their future child,” said Dina Aminpour, head of the Rambam Medical Center’s sperm bank. “The Gaza military operation and the tales of the bravery of the IDF soldiers served to clarify the personality traits which were important to those requesting donations.”

Aminpour explained that combat soldiers are often seen to have positive attributes women hope to replicate in their offspring.

“Military service seems to indicate something about a person. Those in a combat role are assumed to have an impressive constitution, which confirms the genetic aspirations of the women. They believe he will be fit, healthy, resilient and determined, among several other important attributes,” she added.

The medical center, which is the largest hospital in northern Israel, supplies sperm donations to fertility clinics for the entire region. The hospital said it is suffering from a shortage in overall quality donations and is looking to recruit more men to donate.

Prof. Shachar Kol, who runs the artificial insemination clinic at the Rambam Medical Center, said that on average only 10 percent of potential donors are accepted.