Jenin / Ali Samdoui for PNN - Up day and night from pain, the mother of Ahmad Faisal Nazzal paces while looking for an answer.
Her son is in Israeli prison where he is being refused medical treatment. She believes that Ahmad does not sleep either from an unknown illness, however he is not up pacing, he can barely walk. His mother says the occupation authorities will not disclose the truth.
Um Ahmad has three children in Israeli prisons but is most concerned with her 33 year old son whose health continues to worsen.
“No one is able to extend a real helping hand to put pressure on the prison administration for the treatment and it adds greatly to the calamity facing us. We are not afraid of the imprisonment, but I am concerned by the deteriorating health status,” she says.
Nazzal, who hails from the town of Qabatia near Jenin City, is one of the cadres of Islamic Jihad. He was arrested by Israeli forces on 4 July 2005. After interrogation, torture and isolation he was sentenced in a military court to 70 months on the charge of membership in the Islamic Jihad party.
Two years ago the man issued an official complaint of severe pain in his feet but the Israeli prison administration paid no mind. The situation worsened to the point that the pain became constant and so severe walking became nearly impossible.
The doctor that Ahmad finally saw was negligent in refusing an examination, explains his mother. He was later given analgesics and then the last night vitamin B. The doctor said his condition was normal and minor.
Um Ahmad expressed deep concern about the policy of deliberate medical negligence saying it was an attempt to kill the patient slowly. He can no longer sleep or move well. Dozens of applications have been issued to the Israeli prisons department to allow the introduction of a specialized medical team, but to no avail. The Israelis were not being asked to pay, only to allow doctors to look at the man.
Mrs. Nazzal’s other sons are in Israeli prisons for terms of 15 and seven years.
