Published: 29 April, 2008, 05:33
Edited: 29 April, 2008, 05:33
Abortion is illegal in the Palestinian Autonomy, while pregnancy outside marriage is not accepted by Islamic society. As a result, many women secretly cross the border into Israel to undergo the procedure. However, by trying to resolve their problems they
In most of the world, abortion is a very private matter. In the Palestinian community, it’s an even more delicate issue. Islamic society often punishes a woman who gets pregnant outside of marriage by stoning her. Society even refuses to talk about such a taboo.
There are only two cases in which abortion is permitted. The first case is when the embryo poses a serious threat to the life of the mother. The second case is when more than one doctor confirms the embryo won’t be able to live.
But for dozens of girls who fall pregnant outside of these criteria, their lives become a nightmare.
Trapped inside an Islamic society with a window on the West, their only option if they choose to have an abortion is to go across the border.
It’s a lengthy and complicated process for the girls to travel from the Palestinian territories to Israel. The whole operation is in secret – and a race against time.
They also need a permit from the Israeli secret service, Shabak. Otherwise they won’t be admitted to hospital for the costly operation.
However, once the security service gets involved, the girls are in its grip for the rest of their lives. They’re used as informers in the Palestinian territories for the Israeli government.