Abu Shawish has bladder cancer. He has been hemorrhaging for several weeks, requiring a trip to the hospital three times a week for a blood transfusion. His first request for treatment in Israel was made in July, and in response the Shin Bet called him in for questioning. On Thursday, PHR submitted another request explaining that he could not come in for questioning due to his health condition. The organization is now waiting for a response to its request.

A medical report prepared by Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, the director of the blood disease section at the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital said that Abu Shawish’s condition is very serious. “The patient needs four blood bags. His life is in danger and he needs to receive treatment immediately,” the report said. The Shifa Hospital in Gaza said that Abu Shawish requires urgent surgery and transport in an ambulance.

The Shin Bet commented, “Ahmed Abu Shawish was denied entry to Israel because he is a Hamas activist.”

About a week ago PHR published a report claiming that the Shin Bet was making medical treatment outside the Gaza Strip conditional on collaboration. The group collected testimonies from patients in Gaza who had been prohibited from leaving the Strip because they would not collaborate with Shin Bet interrogators at the Erez crossing.

Reader responses to the article

A Hamas activist is a killer. Let the Egyptians take pity on him, not us—Oriyahu.

The patient is in critical condition

Let them give Shalit back. They can send him to Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, or Iran. Don’t let him enter Israel—Etzi.

He has a chance to die a martyr. He should take it—Smadar.

Source: www.wallla.co.il

Israeli Comments

August 12, 2008

By: Nir Yahav