Two-year-old Alta Fixsler is to be taken off life support, the Family Division of Britain's High Court ruled this week. The toddler suffered severe brain damage following complications during birth and cannot eat or breathe without medical support.
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Alta's parents requested that she be moved to a hospital in Israel for treatment, but it got rejected by the court. Following a six-month-long legal battle, the judge ruled it was in Alta's best interest that her medical treatment be discontinued.
According to the judge, taking Alta to Israel would only cause her discomfort "for no medical benefit."
He also said that her parents, who are ultra-Orthodox, "cannot be criticized for having reached a different decision informed by the religious laws that govern their way of life, but applying the secular legal principles that I must ... I cannot agree with their assessment and am required to act accordingly".
In an interview with Israel Hayom, Alta's father, Avraham Fixsler, said: "I just beg anyone who hears me, please help us save my girl from certain death. [They] want to disconnect her [from the machines] and kill her. I beg the prime minister, the ministers, Knesset members, chief rabbis and any person who can help."
Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau turned to Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit to intervene in the matter and help the family. The attorney general's office responded that the request had been accepted and the subject was being investigated.
Experts pointed out that, unfortunately, chances that the Fixsler family could appeal the court's ruling are slim, as are the chances of transferring the toddler to Israel.
Israel's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that if the family turns to them for help, they will see how they could be of assistance on humanitarian grounds.
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