Ahmad al-Mahahareh, 64

I have many health problems: high blood pressure, ulcers, and I underwent several stomach operations. Recently, the doctors found that I have calcification of the arteries and a heart problem. I receive medical treatment in Jerusalem . After the entrance to a-Sheikh Sa'ed was blocked, it was very hard for me to enter the city. But I managed. Usually, I waited for the Border Police officers who staff the checkpoint at the entrance to the village to leave. More than two months ago, though, the Israelis placed a fixed checkpoint at the entrance, and staffed it around the clock. Since then, I have rarely succeeded in getting to Jerusalem .

On 13 May, I felt chest pains and had trouble breathing. Around 5:00 P.M., I decided to go to the al-Jinan medical clinic, which is about fifty meters from the entrance to a-Sheikh Sa'ed, if you bypass the checkpoint. I got to the clinic, where they took an E.K.G. and told me go immediately to al-Makassed Hospital [in East Jerusalem ]. I was alone and did not have enough money, so I went home to get money and request one of my nephews to come with me to the hospital. I returned via the checkpoint. The Border Police officers asked me where I was and what I was doing. I told them that I had gone for an examination and that I had the E.K.G. results. The policeman began to push me and mock me. He said, "What are you telling me, that I am a dog?" They kept me at the checkpoint for more than half an hour.

When they released me, I went home. I took money and asked my nephew, Usama, 27, to come with me. We left the house around 8:00 P.M., and we walked to the main road so that we wouldn't have to go via the checkpoint. The ascent was extremely hard for me. I tired and felt sharp chest pains. When we got to the main road, we tried to hitchhike to the hospital, but nobody agreed to take us. All of them were afraid of a new law that states that a person who transports a person forbidden to be in Jerusalem is subject to having his automobile confiscated and to prosecution.

Public transportation, both buses and taxis, had already ended. We walked all the way to the hospital. We got there around 10:00 P.M. Usama helped me walk, and supported me as we walked, because my condition was bad. We stopped many times to rest.

I underwent tests at the hospital and they gave me medicine to take. I was discharged about 2:00 A.M., and I was given an appointment for the next day. I wanted to have an ambulance take me home, but they said it would cost 350 shekels. We returned on foot, reaching home at about 3:30. I was exhausted, and I was in more pain than I was before I started walking to the hospital.

Ahmad Muhammad Mashur al-Mashahareh, 64 is a resident of a-Sheikh Sa'ed in al-Quds District. His testimony was given to Kareem Jubran at the witness's home on 20 June 2006.