Temple Mount activist’s condition improves
A week after shooting, Yehudah Glick communicates with parents and recognizes those around him
The condition of a right-wing activist shot at point-blank range by a Palestinian gunman last week continued to improve Thursday.
Rabbi Yehudah Glick began to communicate with and recognize those around him and may soon be taken off a respirator, Israel Radio reported Thursday citing hospital sources.
Glick is now reportedly able to communicate with his parents by saying yes or no.
Glick was shot and hit by four bullets outside the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in central Jerusalem on the night of October 29.
Since being taken to the hospital, he has undergone numerous surgeries to repair damage caused by four gunshot wounds.
Glick underwent a fourth operation Monday, with doctors performing surgery on his stomach, and last Friday, Glick had part of his intestine removed.
Medical officials at Shaare Zedek Medical Center have been cautious in their prognosis. For the last week they have reported on his improving condition, but maintained that his life was still in danger. However, a surgeon said there does not seem to be any significant neurological damage and Glick could make a full recovery.
Glick is a central figure in a campaign by activists to permit Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount, which Israel captured in 1967. According to a deal struck in 1967 between defense minister Moshe Dayan and the Waqf, Muslim organization overseeing the holy site, Muslims may pray on the Mount, while Jewish prayer is limited to the Western Wall. Jews and others may visit the Mount as tourists.
Israel closed the Temple Mount for one day last Thursday following the attack on Glick, a move that drew sharp condemnation from Palestinians, the Jordanian government and others.
Since the site opened again to Jewish visitors on Sunday, three right-wing MKs have visited the site, contending that it was their democratic right to do so, despite a plea from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for calm and restraint.
Netanyahu has repeatedly pledged in recent days to preserve the status quo on the Temple Mount.