Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Cancer kids plead to see detained fathers

Published Wednesday 08/06/2011 (updated) 09/06/2011 10:57
HEBRON (Ma’an) -- Asil is 10-years-old and suffers from leukemia. Just 40 days after she was born in the West Bank city of Hebron, her father, Jamal Qisiyeh, was detained by Israeli authorities and later sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

Palestinian Detainees Minister in the West Bank visited Asil on Wednesday in a show of support for sick children and their families, with parents in Israeli jail.

Asil told Qaraqe that she hopes to get better and see her father. She has not been able to visit her father during his detention because of her illness.

In Hebron, the minister also visited 12-year-old Maram who suffers from bone cancer, the daughter of Muhammad Al-Za’aqiq who is also in Israeli jail.

Maram asks God to keep her alive until her father's release, in just six months, Qaraqe said. She cannot visit her father because of her condition, but sends him regular letters.

The minister was accompanied by members of the Hebron detainees’ center, and pledged to follow their cases and the treatment they receive.