Ahmed al-Khatib
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Ahmed al-Khatib, a 12 year old Palestinian boy, was shot in Jenin on November 3, 2005 by Israeli soldiers. He had been carrying a toy gun which the soldiers had mistakenly identified as a real weapon. He was taken to an Israeli hospital and placed on life support but died from his injuries on November 5, 2005.
His parents, Ismail and Ablah al-Khatib, agreed to allow his organs to be used for transplant. Ahmed's kidneys, liver, heart and lungs were then transplanted into Israelis including Jews, Arabs and a Druze girl. In total, 5 children and one 58 year old woman received transplants.
Mr Khatib said "I have taken this decision because I have a message for the world: that the Palestinian people want peace - for everyone." Ahmed's mother said "We have no problem whether it is an Israeli or a Palestinian (who receives his organs) because it will give them life". Israel's parliamentary speaker Reuven Rivlin praised the decision of the family saying "This remarkable gesture... despite the war and conflict without solution for nearly 100 years, must be noted... We salute your gesture"
[edit] References
"Palestinian's organs go to Israel", BBC, November 8, 2005.
"Palestinian's organs donated to Israelis", Aljazeera, November 7, 2005.
"Israel salutes Palestinian child organ donor parents", Middle East Online, November 7, 2005.
