Jerusalem Church Leaders Appeal for Medical Permits for Gazan Children with Leukemia

Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. Photo: en.jerusalem-patriarchate.info

JERUSALEM — The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem have issued a humanitarian appeal to Israeli authorities, requesting permits for children in Gaza diagnosed with leukemia to travel to Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem for specialized treatment unavailable in the territory. 

In their statement, the Church leaders — including His Holiness Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem — emphasized the urgency and moral necessity of the request, noting that the hospital is fully prepared to assume responsibility for transportation, care, and treatment, with patients returned to Gaza upon completion. “We make this appeal on humanitarian grounds,” the statement reads, stressing that the absence of leukemia treatment in Gaza leaves affected children without viable alternatives.

The Church leaders underlined that the request places no financial burden on the state. “There will be no burden on the government for any cost, since it will all be borne by the hospital,” they said.

Highlighting the time-sensitive nature of cancer treatment, the Patriarchs urged swift action. “As with any disease, the swift delivery of treatment is essential for a good outcome,” they stated, expressing hope that authorities will allow the children to receive the “medically necessary care” needed to begin “their journeys to recovery and health.”

The appeal is signed collectively by the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem. The letter is published in full below.

Statement of Support for the Work of Augusta Victoria Hospital in Treating Children with Cancer from Gaza

We, the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem, respectfully request from the relevant Israeli authorities permits to allow children in Gaza who have been diagnosed with leukemia to travel to the Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives to receive specialized treatment that is only available to them there.

Augusta Victoria is prepared to arrange for not only the transportation, but also the full care and treatment of these young and vulnerable patients, who will then be returned by the hospital to their homes in Gaza at the end of their treatment.

We make this appeal on humanitarian grounds. The treatment for this disease is not available in Gaza, and it has the potential to transform the lives of those afflicted with it. There will be no burden on the government for any cost, since it will all be borne by the hospital.

We urge that permission for the treatment of these young patients be granted as soon as possible. As with any disease, the swift delivery of treatment is essential for a good outcome.  We therefore hope very much that the responsible authorities will see fit to allow these patients to receive the medically necessary care that the excellent facilities of Augusta Victoria Hospital can provide, in order that these children can begin their journeys to recovery and health.

+The Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem

Previously, UOJ reported that the Patriarchs of Antioch, Jerusalem, and Serbia held a meeting in Jordan.

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