Senior congressman asks UK not to take two-year-old Jewish girl off life support

A senior American Jewish congressman has joined the fight to keep doctors in the UK from taking a 2-year-old Jewish girl off life support.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote to Britain’s Ambassador in the U.S., Karen Pierce, asking the government can prevent medical authorities from making any irreversible moves concerning Alta Fixsler, who has been on life support in a Manchester hospital since her birth due to natal complications.

“I urge that all health decisions that are against the wishes of the family be suspended until the citizenship process is complete and Alta can travel to the U.S. with her U.S. citizen father, Mr. Abraham Fixsler,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, wrote.

Last month, the High Court ruled against the family’s petition to have Alta moved to Israel after medical authorities’ decided to pull the plug on the machines keeping her alive. Taking Alta off life support goes against their religious beliefs, the Charedi parents said, and there may be hope for Alta recovering. Medical personnel expected Alta to die within days of being born.

The action has been delayed amid further appeals by the parents.

Israel’s government, including a personal letter from President Rivlin, has urged the UK authorities to prevent Alta from being taken off life support and want the family to be permitted to move to Israel.