Etzion DCL, Thu 10.10.13, Afternoon

Only a few people arrived. Outside we met a young man and an older woman who looked deeply concerned. The man told us his brother had fallen from the third floor and was transferred in critical condition to Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. He and his mother sought permits to enter Israel to be near the patient, but did not get them. They were told that one brother who lives in Jerusalem and other relatives, are already by his side. The mother looked miserable. We called and asked to allow her to see her son, but our request was denied. We waited with the woman and her son till closing time, when R. the officer arrived, the son approached her. The mother stood by. When the officer saw the mother's anguished face, she let her in and gave her a permit. Despite receiving a permit the mother looked bewildered and frightened. Her son did not get a permit and she was afraid to go to Jerusalem alone, because she speaks only Arabic and had never traveled without an escort. We suggested she come with us to Jerusalem. We drove her to Hadassah, at the entrance her second son was waiting and he took her to her injured son.