When Rabbi Dee knocked on Abu Radia’s front door, he was not sure if he would be allowed in but was welcomed with open arms.
The carpenter was asked by Dee, 52, if he minded having a Jewish body part inside him and or if it was considered negative in his society.
Kidney recipient Abu Radia receives framed blessing from Rabbi Leo Dee (Photo: Paul Martin for The Mirror)
Abu Radia replied: “We are all human beings. I’d have died without this kidney. I cannot thank Rabbi Dee enough. He’s saved my life.”
Rabbi Dee said: “This is what Lucy would have wanted. Her kidney is a sign of peace and reconciliation.”
He told Abu Radia: “The fact that you are alive is a miracle for us. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Part of my late wife is inside you and it gives our family great comfort to know she continues to do good.
“And you being an Arab and a Muslim is especially wonderful, as she did so much for reconciliation.
“It’s a blessing to see you looking so well in your own house. I’ve sadly lost two daughters and my wife but the fact you’re alive because of them – you continuing to live – is a real miracle.”
Later, he added: “I had been warned not to come to see Abu Radia by some people.
“They said it was impossible to visit him while there was fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in Gaza. I was delighted and relieved that he invited me.”
Abu Radia was one of five people who received life-saving transplants from the organs of Lucy, a British-Israeli citizen.
In an interview with the JC last month, Rabbi Dee said he holds “no hatred” for the murderers of his family members, saying his wife Lucy would have been “proud” that one of her organs saved the life of a Palestinian.
Lucy, 48, and her two daughters, Maia, 20, and 15-year-old Rina were shot dead in Israel as the family were driving in the West Bank last month.
Israel's National Transplant Centre said a 51-year-old woman received Lucy’s heart; a 58-year-old woman one of her lungs; a 25-year-old man her liver whilst a 58-year-old man received another one of her kidneys.
Her corneas have also been preserved for future use.
Following the transplant, Abu Radia was able to see his baby, born last week, for the first time since his transplant and introduced Rabbi Dee to the child.
