Israel denies medical treatment for Palestinians

Thursday July 12, 2007 12:38 by R. P. - International Middle East Media Center - IMEMC Editorial Group

Physicians for Human Rights has highlighted recent human rights abuses, including the case of a 25-year-old Palestinian man who lost both of his legs after being denied entry to Israel for medical treatment.

Ma'ala Uda, a member of Fateh, was prohibited from entering Israel from the Gaza Strip despite the opinion of a high-ranking medical official that he might require amputation without immediate treatment.

Even after the man had lost one leg and it was known that he was in danger of losing the other, the Israeli High Court upheld the rejection by Shin Bet, the Israeli security agency, upholding their assessment of the man as a security threat.

“With all due respect to the Shin Bet’s work and concern for Israel’s security, I fail to understand how a man who is missing one or two legs can jeopardize the country’s security; it’s simply ridiculous,” stated Ran Yaron of Physicians for Human Rights.

The group had offered to contract a security firm to escort patients from Gaza to the Allenby crossing so that they could seek treatment in Jordan, but this request was also rejected by Shin Bet.

Other recent cases include a man at risk of losing his eyesight being denied entry, and the death of a 19-year-old man with a brain tumour after his request for an entry permit was delayed.

These refusals are generally attributed to 'security concerns' or the linking of applicants to 'terror groups.'

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