Agreement reached on frozen eggs

JERUSALEM, Feb. 23 (JTA) — An estranged Israeli couple has reached a compromise in their lengthy legal battle over the fate of frozen eggs fertilized while they were still together. The agreement comes after more than five years of court battles. At the Supreme Court’s suggestion, Danny Nahmani agreed to give his estranged wife, Ruti, possession of the eggs and to allow her to continue to pursue having a child through a surrogate mother. In return, Ruti Nahmani agreed to give Danny Nahmani visiting rights and drop all financial demands of him. The two also agreed that the in-vitro fertilization process would take place after they were formally divorced. The couple had married more than 12 years ago, but remained childless. After a bout with cancer, Ruti Nahmani had a hysterectomy, and the couple later decided to attempt in-vitro fertilization. At that time, surrogate motherhood was not yet legal in Israel, though a law has since been enacted to make it so.