As reported in the major Israeli daily, YNET, last week, Purim this year was amazing for a group of children hospitalised with cancer at Hadassah who were unable to celebrate the day with their friends in kinder or school. Instead, they left the oncology ward at Hadassah Ein Kerem for a tour of the Knesset with their parents, and a big surprise.
L-R: Assaf, Itai, Speaker of the Knesset Amir Ohana, Ayala, Michael, and Yosef
During their tour, the Knesset Police Chief called them into his office for what he called “emergency recruitment”. They were so excited when he asked them to put on Knesset guard uniforms – especially tailored for them with their own name tags, ranks and accessories – and directed them to join the Knesset guards checking all incoming visitors, including helping the sniffer dogs. They were also given the special honour of welcoming Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, in a ceremonial procession on the Red Carpet. They were excited and delighted at their special mission!
What a change from their day-to-day hospital lives. About a year ago Assaf Amsalem (5) was diagnosed with a rare and violent cancer, Ayala Shira Yerat (7) was diagnosed about two and a half years ago with leukemia, Itai Barkai (5) was diagnosed two years ago with bladder sarcoma, Yosef Shalom Okbi (11) was diagnosed last June with sarcoma in the kidney, and Michael Freibron (7) was diagnosed with leukemia about a year and a half ago.
Ayala excitedly concluded the special surprise day: "Last year I dressed up as a nurse in a hospital, and today I'm fighting in the Knesset. It's fun that I have a costume that no other girl has."
Yosef said that "it was a very happy day, and I hope to visit the Knesset many more times”.
Speaker Amir Ohana was deeply moved by the young guards and said, “As befits the fighters they are, we wanted to give them a unique Purim experience by recruiting them into the Knesset guard for a day. We have all decided to meet here next Purim as well. On behalf of the Knesset, I wish them and all the girls and boys of Israel fighting the cursed disease, a complete and speedy recovery”.