Gazan mother of transplant patient granted permit to enter Israel
In'am al-Atar, a young girl from Gaza, is in Ramallah for a kidney transplant; her uncle is the donor, but she refuses to go through the procedure without the presence of her mother, who was initially refused an entrance permit; COGAT grants mother permit after case is publicized.
A Palestinian girl from Gaza is awaiting a kidney transplant at a Ramallah hospital, but refused to undergo the surgery without her mother—who lacked a permit to enter Israel. Wednesday, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) granted the mother a permit to enter the country and join her daughter.
The girl, In'am al-Atar, 13, arrived in Ramallah a few days ago after her uncle Khalid offered to donate a kidney to her. Because her mother was denied an entrance permit, the girl was in an emotionally distressed state. She told Ynet that she was not willing to undergo the surgery without the presence of her mother beside her. “If she does not come, I will return to Gaza and forgo the transplant,” In'am said.
She said that she was pleading for her mother to join her and accompany her and her uncle throughout the procedure and afterwards.
“I do not feel well, I have no appetite to eat or drink. Most of the time I think about mama,” In’am said. “If she does not come I will go back home to Gaza, let somebody else take my place. Instead of taking my situation into consideration they are making it difficult. I am still a little girl and I am used to being near mama all the time.”
She continued: “The surgery I need is risky. I really want to see my mother and embrace her and tell her to take care of herself and my five brothers. I do not know how it will turn out, so I need my mother at these difficult moments in my life.”
The mother, Salu, said: “I was supposed to be with her at the hospital but suddenly they did not allow it. My daughter is crying all the time and asking about me, she cannot do the surgery without me. I am the only one who can give her all that she needs. Her uncle, who is with her, cannot help her with anything because he too is set to have surgery.”
She was pleading that she be allowed to join her daughter: “She is not eating or drinking, her mental state is bad. I must be with her so that the surgery goes well. Every day her condition deteriorates,” Salu said.
MK Abd al-Hakim Hajj Yahya (Joint List) mentioned the girl’s predicament at the Knesset Tuesday. He said, “This is a humane, non-political case. I hope that the relevant parties take care of the matter quickly so that the mother can join her daughter who is waiting patiently.”
Sources from the Palestinian Authority said they are keeping an eye on the situation and are doing everything for the girl’s best interests.
Wednesday afternoon, after Ynet reported the story, the mother was given a permit to join her daughter.
