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In praise of euthanasia

Rabbi, prominent Israeli doctors discuss euthanasia at northern Israel convention

A convention held in northern Israel on January 11 gave rise to some fascinating views, both from religious leaders and medical experts, favoring certain forms of euthanasia in the Jewish State.

 

The “Compassion at the End of Life” convention was held in Haifa under the auspices of the International Center for Health, Law and Ethics and UNESCO Chair in Bioethics, on the initiative of journalist and photographer Gili Mazza, in memory of her late father, Attorney Yehuda Mazza. Following his agonizing death, Gili embarked on a quest to advance a compassionate euthanasia law in Israel, and during the convention her views were supported by several speakers.

 

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Speaking at the event, Rabbi Benny Lau, who heads the Social Justice Institute in Jerusalem, urged religious Israelis to discuss the issue of euthanasia under the banner of “yes to compassion, no to murder.” The rabbi stressed that doctors do not have to engage in efforts meant to prolong one’s life unnaturally. He argued that if medicine can no longer cure a person, doctors should allow terminally ill patients to pass away, endorsing a so-called “passive euthanasia.”

 

Dr. Michal Baron of the Hebrew University discussed the notion of “qualify of dying” and recommended the establishment of acute palliative care units in Israel for patients suffering from a variety of terminal diseases including Alzheimer, Parkinson and ALS.

 

Convention participants also discussed the adverse effect of ongoing terminal illness on the relatives of patients. According to cited research from Israel and Canada, the spouses of terminally ill patients develop depression and anxiety almost twice as much as the patients themselves. Rabbi Lau reinforced the findings, noting that he is personally aware of this phenomenon among his community members in Jerusalem.

 

The medical experts who spoke at the convention, including several prominent Israeli doctors, discussed the suffering of terminally ill patients, who the doctors said do not receive the compassion they deserve. They also noted that most doctors do not bother to look into euthanasia legislation and fail to review it in depth.

 

The convention was attended by some 300 people from across Israel, including medical staff, religious, and young Israelis. Attendants also signed a petition initiated by conference organizer Mazza, who is currently fighting to promote a euthanasia law that was previously dismissed by legislators. At this time, Mazza is supported by three Knesset members who endorse her struggle and will formulate a new bill on the issue together with her.

 

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.22.12, 22:08
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