Autopsy • this is how Zaka makes the police surrender

Zaka's legal department, which works to preserve the dignity of the dead, succeeds every day to fight for respect for the dead and prevent autopsies, contrary to the halacha. But during the last day the department faces an unusual number of cases in which the authorities sought to autopsy, and in most cases Zaka were able to prevent degradation of the dead at the last minute.


• Last Shabbos a youngster who was hospitalized in Soroka Hospital in Beersheba died after about a week that he was hospitalized and suddenly his body systems collapsed - and he died. Police asked the court to order an autopsy - and received it.

This morning a petition was filed to the High Court - by Mr. Dror Sosheim, and before the hearing the State Attorney's Office dismissed the request to carry out an autopsy, and the body was released for burial.


• A young woman died this morning in Beit Shemesh. Police filed a request for autopsy at the Magistrates Court in Beit Shemesh. In this case too, following objections of the department, police gave up already before the hearing on the autopsy and the body was released for burial.

• In Nahariya an old woman died in a nursing home, with a suspicion of malpractice. The son of the deceased lives abroad and was told that if he refused an autopsy, his mother may be buried in another two weeks. The son, who does not understand the process of burial, just wanted to bury his mother as soon as possible. Therefore he agreed that the police will stand in court, without his presence, and will require an autopsy.


The police received an order for an autopsy. Zaka's legal department acted immediately, and this afternoon issued an order prohibiting dissection, until the coming of the son from abroad. Tomorrow there will be a further hearing.

• In Emanuel a lonely orthodox man was found dead yesterday, the apartment contained blood stains. Police acted quickly and applied to the court, although a promise was received that they will coordinate the referral with Zaka. The referral was addressed to Mechle Gutwein, and he came this afternoon to the court in Petach Tikva, and applied for delay of performance. Now he is waiting there to get the court's decision.


Zaka's legal department operates volunteer lawyers to help families at this hard time, in every case of disrespect of the dead, both in cases where legal action is required to prevent pathological autopsy of the dead, and expediting the funeral - by reducing bureaucratic procedures with the officials.


The Legal Department consists of lawyers specializing in these areas, who have gained much experience. The department handles all cases of violation of dignity of the dead, and if necessary submits requests and petitions to the courts.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!