Little Alta's Parents: "Time is Running Out, We Must Save Our Child"

A two-and-a-half-year-old Israeli girl named Alta Fixsler is currently shaking the Jewish community in England, as well as the country's judicial system. The child, hospitalized since birth, is connected to feeding and respiration devices. Recently, doctors announced their intention to disconnect her, essentially leading to her death.

Battle for Life

It's a deeply painful story. Alta's parents, Avraham and Chaya Fixsler, came to England a few years ago. "Our daughter was born here two and a half years ago," says Avraham Fixsler. "At birth, she suffered from oxygen deprivation, resulting in irreversible brain damage. She was immediately put on a respirator. From the start, the doctor suggested disconnecting her, but we couldn't even consider it. Since then, she's been hospitalized. Her condition hasn't improved, but it hasn't worsened either. My wife and I visit her daily, juggling home, work, and other needs. It's not easy at all, but we try to support each other and hope for better days."

Recently, a new struggle emerged – a fight for little Alta's life. "Our daughter was transferred to a different hospital ward where doctors informed us they don't think it's 'worth investing in her life,' so they are insisting on disconnecting her."

Avraham Fixsler's voice trembles as he speaks. "The doctors explained they 'pity' her and are unwilling to bear her suffering. We've clarified that we're willing to take her home and care for her ourselves. We also stated that if it's not possible, we can transfer her to Israel since we're Israeli citizens and hospitalize her in a rehabilitation facility."

The parents have not only spoken but also contacted Hadassah Hospital, which agreed to admit Alta immediately upon her arrival in Israel. Herzog Hospital also granted permission to transfer her to the children's ward once her condition stabilizes. However, the English hospital continues to insist on disconnecting her, although it's clear she cannot survive afterward.

But the fight isn't just with the doctors. As Fixsler explains, when parents disagree with doctors in England, the doctors turn to the court to force compliance. "Unfortunately, the judicial system here is secular and places no value on human life. The judge ruled that even if we're opposed as parents, the doctors have the authority to disconnect her. We tried to draw his attention to the fact that our daughter is Jewish, from a religious family, so disconnection is completely against her faith. But he responded with, 'Who decided she's even religious? Did you ask her if she wants to be? Does she even understand?' He also set a date – June 8, next Tuesday, that if we haven't filed an appeal by then, Alta will be disconnected."

Fixsler pauses, his voice breaking. "Filing an appeal in this situation is nearly impossible," he adds, "because in England, when a judge decides, there's no way to appeal unless he agrees to it. It's complicated, and there have been similar cases where they fought for Christian children's lives. The battles failed, and they were disconnected and died a few days later."

The Israeli Effort

Currently, the Fixsler family is trying to apply pressure from Israel. "My wife and I are from Israel," Fixsler explains. "We are Israeli citizens, as is our daughter. We have no real way to confront the English authorities, but we believe if Israel applies pressure, it might influence. We aren't asking for the English doctors to treat our child, nor for them to spend money. We just want to transfer her from the hospital to Israel."

On a personal note, Fixsler adds that they're going through incredibly tough days. "We're very worried about our daughter, and the media attention isn't easy for us because we're not public people. But right now, saving Alta's life is our sole focus." He also mentions that their story is being talked about across England. "We feel this is a significant kiddush Hashem and it's encouraging us."

In Israel, as can be seen, many organizations are trying to assist the family, understanding it's a race against time. Among them is MK Israel Eichler, who comments: "We've approached the Health Minister and the Attorney General. International legal efforts are being made to keep the child alive and bring her to Israel. For us, if the court ruling is, heaven forbid, implemented, it constitutes nothing less than murder."

Eichler, archive photo (c: Hadas Parush, Flash 90)

"We asked to bring the child to Israel because here the law doesn't allow such an injustice. I remind you that the child is also Israeli; she has an Israeli passport. To our astonishment, the court didn't allow it, arguing that the ruling wouldn't be enforced in Israel. The British know that the law in Israel differs from the English law on this matter."

"Time is short, and there's much to do. I hope and pray that with Hashem's help, these efforts will bear fruit and that we'll succeed in bringing her to Israel. If there ever was a straight-forward example of saving a life – this is it. It's about a living child, and she must not be killed."

The Foreign Ministry stated: "If the family contacts the Foreign Ministry, we will examine whether and how we can assist on a humanitarian basis."

The Chief Rabbinate responded: "The child's grandfather approached the Rabbinate this morning, and the issue is being handled urgently and with great sensitivity."