Nov 30, 2007 at 1:08 PM

26 November 2007: Israel continues to delay treatment of two toddlers with cystic fibrosis

Two-and-a-half year old Muhammad a-Shanti and his brother Mustafa, who is sixteen months old, have cystic fibrosis. They live in the Gaza Strip, where the health system is unable to treat their serious illness. As a result, they must go to Hadassah Hospital , in Jerusalem , once a month for treatment. Prior to each visit, their parents have to submit a request for an entry permit for one of them and for the toddlers. Now and in the past, Israel has taken its time in issuing the permits. The delays have severely increased in the past six months.

Muhammad and Mustafa a-Shanti. Photo: Muhammad Sabah , B'Tselem.

Since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Israel has almost completely prohibited Gazans to enter Israel or go abroad for medical treatment. The last time the children were treated at Hadassah was in September. Since then, Israel has not permitted them to enter its territory, and the toddlers' condition has deteriorated.

***

Give me just one rationalisation for that. And because I know that you cannot I will speak words hanging in the air: Collective Punishment.

There is no question as to what this could otherwise be termed. It is most certainly the elephant in the corner.

You want to do something? You want to make sure that this doesn't happen to other children - and there have been many - or to someone else's mother, brother, sister, I can give you lists and lists of people who are affected. The names would mean nothing to you. I can tell you that we have no chemotherapy drugs in Gaza and the Israeli's will not allow importation of any more. That means that anyone unfortunate enough to be trapped here and be suffering from cancer is receiving no treatment. Find me any kind of justification for that.

You want to make a difference? Make sure that someone else knows. Tell five people and tell them to tell another five people. The only way that this will change is if the people, the populace, want it to change. The politicians all know, they are all playing their own game.

But, for once, you can actually make a difference. This is a hot topic right now. Letters to congressmen, senators, governors, and newspapers are always useful. If you need any more stories, any more facts, ask for them, I can happily give them to you.

But just realise, that by not saying anything, by not demanding some kind of change, this is what you are condoning.