Prisoner allegedly fathers twins via smuggled sperm; Israel questions report

A Palestinian prisoner, Basel Al-Asmar, who is serving a life sentence for his role in the 2001 murder of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze'evi, has allegedly fathered twins after his sperm was smuggled out of Nafha Prison.

His wife, Sanabel Al-Ra’i, announced the birth of a boy and a girl in Qalqilya, following what Palestinian media reports describe as a smuggling operation. The conception reportedly required multiple attempts over a two-year period. The Jerusalem Post has been unable to confirm the paternity of the twins.

Al-Asmar, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), met Ra’i while she was visiting her brother, also a PFLP member. They later married by proxy. Reports suggest that over 100 children have been fathered by detained Palestinian prisoners through sperm smuggling operations since 2012.

In response to the reports, the Israel Prison Service stated there is no scientific evidence to confirm Al-Asmar fathered the twins. They emphasized that sperm smuggling operations have not been possible since before October 7, 2023. Previously, the Palestinian Prisoners' Media Office had raised concerns about Al-Asmar's health and alleged denial of medical treatment and family visits.

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In response to reports regarding the smuggling of sperm from the prison of the murderer of the late Minister Rehavam Ze’evi and the birth of his children, and given that the report has no scientific verification, we emphasize that the smuggling referred to in the reports took place before October 7, 2023, prior to