On the night of Rosh Chodesh Teves (Thursday to Friday) at 2:00AM, Rachel Kitzki, 30, arrived with her husband Tomer at Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikvah as she was experiencing labor pains. To her surprise, not only did the night end with a new daughter, but with a NIS 1,000 parking fine too.

The couple lives in Ramle but and decided to have the baby at Beilinson because they heard it has a good reputation. When they arrived, and explained to the guard she was in labor, he opened the gate and pointed them in the right direction. They parked in one of the lots where they found a space. When Tomer returned to the car hours later, after the birth, he was surprised to find the city had issued a NIS 1,000 summons to his vehicle. He went to hospital officials, who explained the fine was issued by the city and therefore, has nothing to do with them and they have no authority over the matter. Local authorities explain the camera shows the vehicle was parked in a spot intended for disabled moms heading to the delivery room. He argued it was the only available parking space and his wife was in labor.

Petach Tikvah City Hall explains there are many births at Beilinson daily and there are two parking lots available. In addition, the city does exhibit a significant measure of ‘tolerance and understanding’ for the hospital situation, instructing Tomer to file an appeal.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)