Eidelman in his tent
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Shalit, doctors, tent protesters bind together
Father of kidnapped soldier, organizers of protests against housing costs visit IMA chief at his tent before Netanyahu's office, where he has been on hunger strike for six days. 'Prime minister can solve our problem in one day,' he says
The chairman of the Medical Association, Leonid Eidelman, says he was visited in the tent he has pitched before the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem by Noam Shalit as well as organizers of the Jerusalem tent protests against high housing costs.
Dr. Eidelman told Ynet he is waiting for a phone call from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I want him to present a solution to the doctors' problems. If not, I will continue my hunger strike until there is a solution, or I collapse," he said.
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He added that he intended to honor a request by President Shimon Peres, who asked him not to hold another doctors' march on Sunday but rather make do with just a protest as temperatures are expected to surpass 35 degrees Celsius.
The IMA chairman has been on a hunger strike for six days. "The fast is certainly harming my health. Yesterday I didn't feel well and I couldn't get out of bed. I refused to receive an infusion and go to the hospital, but I did some blood tests and my condition has certainly taken a turn for the worse," he said.
Many visit Eidelman's tent in Jerusalem (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
"I want the prime minister to make a brave decision connecting between us and the Treasury," Eidelman explained, adding that the gaps between the two parties were not big.
"I believe every crisis has a solution, and I think the prime minister needs to provide this solution. This problem can be solved in one day."
On Saturday morning the father of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit told Eidelman during his visit, "I have come to support him. This is a righteous battle. We must support the medical system."
Other visitors continued to arrive throughout the day, including doctors as well as a patient whose wife's life was saved by Dr. Eidelman.
Later Saturday tent protesters and doctors plan to march together in Tel Aviv and a number of other cities. "This is a rare opportunity to combine the protests that have a lot in common," said a medical intern who has pitched a tent in the city.
"A state that sends people to defend it bodily must also take responsibility for education, health, and public transportation. These things must not be left up to fate."
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