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aus Nr. 51/51 - 23. Dezember 2001 
  • Titel                      Weihnachten in Bethlehem - Das Heilige Land braucht Frieden
  • Thema                    Ein Besuch in Bethlehem - Weihnachten nur noch für Beter
  •                               Weihnachten und Chanukka in Israel
  • Glaube und Leben   Gedanken zur Jahreslosung 2002 - Feuerpause des Irrsinns
  • Israeli Soldiers Attack Peaceful Demonstration,

    • 24 December, 2001  by www.palestinemonitor.org
  • Christmas in Bethlehem Lacks Cheer

    • By Jason Keyser, Associated Press Writer, Tuesday, December 25, 2001; 10:05 AM
  • Christmas Eve in Bethlehem: Santas, Songs but No Arafat

    • By JAMES BENNET, December 25, 2001, The New York Times
  • Gaza priest cancels Christmas

    • AFP, 24 December, 2001
  • Bethlehem's star wanes under siege

    • UZI MAHNAIMI, BETHLEHEM, AND COLIN SMITH - The Sunday-Times, 23 December, 2001

    GUSH SHALOM - TEXTE ZUR AUSSTELLUNG
        FÜR EINE AUSSTELLUNG ÜBER GUSH SHALOM BEIM JUGENDUMWELTKONGRESS ZUM
         JAHRESWECHSEL 2001/2002 IN DRESDEN WURDEN EINIGE TEXTE DES
         ISRAELISCHEN "FRIEDENSBLOCK" ÜBERSETZT UND HIER INS NETZ GESTELLT
     letzte Aktualisierung: 28.12.2001 http://www.dbein.bndlg.de/themen/themen04/index.html
         Homepage Gush Shalom und Quelle der Texte:   http://www.gush-shalom.org/english


    http://www.sonntagsblatt-bayern.de/woche/woche1.htm
     
    Ein Hoffnungssymbol, das derzeit wenig Konjunktur hat: Die palästinensische und die israelische Flagge verbunden - hochgehalten von Friedensdemonstranten in Bethlehem, misstrauisch beäugt von israelischen Soldaten 
    Foto: AP

    Weihnachten in Bethlehem

    Das Heilige Land braucht Frieden

    15 Monate al-Aqsa-Intifada und Israels "Krieg gegen den Terror" erschüttern das Heilige Land. Bethlehem, der Geburtsort Jesu Christi, erwartet in diesem Jahr keine friedliche Weihnacht.

    Frieden auf Erden, und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen - wohl lange nicht hat man die biblische Verheißung des göttlichen Heils den Menschen im Heiligen Land mehr gewünscht als in diesem Jahr. Immer wieder neue Selbstmordattentate palästinensischer Extremisten und Israels offener "Krieg gegen den Terror" haben das Land in eine hoffnungslose Lage gebracht.
        Wegen der Unruhen im Heiligen Land werden die volkstümlichen Veranstaltungen zum Christfest ausfallen, hat Bethlehems Bürgermeister Hana Nassar bekannt gegeben. Religiöse Zeremonien sollen aber stattfinden. Der Palästinenser beschuldigt Israel, die Weihnachtsfeiern wegen der militärischen Angriffe auf die Stadt unmöglich gemacht zu haben. Bethlehem ist durch die Kämpfe erheblich in Mitleidenschaft gezogen worden; etliche Straßen sind von Panzerketten durchwühlt. Im Unterschied zu früheren Weihachtsfeiern mit Tausenden von Touristen stellen sich die ungefähr 14000 moslemischen und 13000 christlichen Einwohner Bethlehems auf eine spannungsvolle Weihnachtszeit ein.
        In unterschiedlich geprägten Erklärungen nehmen Kirchenbünde zur Situation in Israel Stellung. Der Weltkirchenrat (Genf) macht Israel für die derzeitige Eskalation verantwortlich. Israels ständige Missachtung des internationalen Rechts, die anhaltende Besetzung und die Erfahrung, dass diese Aktivitäten nicht bestraft würden, seien die wichtigsten Gründe für die Unruhen, für die Bedrohung des Friedens und der Sicherheit beider Völker. Der Weltkirchenrat forderte Israel auf, die Rechte der Palästinenser in den besetzten Gebieten zu respektieren.
        Der Rat der Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland (EKD) appellierte an beide Konfliktparteien, an den Verhandlungstisch zurückzukehren. Nach Ansicht des EKD-Leitungsgremiums muss die Spirale von Gewalt und Vergeltung beendet werden. Eine besondere Verantwortung hätten dabei die Kirchen und christlichen Organisationen im Heiligen Land. Israelische und palästinensische Politiker müssten deshalb die Gegenwart der Christen und die Arbeit der kirchlichen Kirchen schützen. Der Rat bittet alle evangelischen Christen, für den Frieden im Nahen Osten zu beten.
        Der Präsident des Lutherischen Weltbundes, der braunschweigische Landesbischof Christian Krause (Wolfenbüttel), geht in seiner Weihnachtsbotschaft ebenfalls auf die Situation in Bethlehem ein. Die Stadt liege unter Beschuss, Straßensperren blockierten den Weg, Menschen seien bereit, sich selbst in die Luft zu sprengen, um andere mit in den Tod zu reißen. Das Heilige Land sei geprägt von "unversöhnlicher, erbitterter Feindschaft". Und doch nehme die Christenheit Bethlehem in den Blick: Dort sei "der Heiland geboren, der Heil und Leben mit sich bringt".


    http://www.sonntagsblatt-bayern.de/woche/woche2.htm
    http://www.sonntagsblatt-bayern.de/woche/woche2a.htm

    Ein Besuch in Bethlehem

    Weihnachten nur noch für Beter

    Von Johannes Gerloff

    Bethlehem liegt unter Beschuss und wird durch Straßensperren blockiert. Die Geburtsstadt Jesu erlebt das zweite Weihnachten in Folge ohne Touristen. Der Chor des Bethlehem Bible College wird am Heiligabend trotzdem wie immer auf dem Krippenplatz vor der Geburtskirche singen.
     
    Märtyrer-Plakat: Hussein a-Bayat wurde in Beit Sahour, auf den traditionellen Hirtenfeldern, von der israelischen Luftwaffe mit einer Rakete erschossen, nachdem er wochenlang auf den Jerusalemer Stadtteil Gilo gefeuert hatte. 

    Wer heute in die Geburtsstadt Jesu fahren will, muss lange warten. "Ich habe keine offzielle Genehmigung, nach Israel zu fahren", erklärt Issa, palästinensischer Vertreter einer deutschen Firma. "Aber weil ich einen Brief vom Hadassah-Krankenhaus habe, haben sie mich durchgelassen." Wir stehen in einer langen Fahrzeugschlange am Eingang von Bethlehem. Die israelischen Soldaten lassen sich Zeit mit der Kontrolle.
        Auf die Frage, wie sich Bethlehem in diesem Jahr auf das größte Ereignis des Jahres vorbereitet, meint Issa: "Wir denken nicht an Weihnachten. Wir denken nur daran, wie wir den nächsten Tag bewältigen." Die meisten Einwohner der ursprünglich christlichen Stadt sind seit Monaten arbeitslos und haben kein Einkommen. In vielen Familien ist die sprichwörtliche Sorge um das tägliche Brot allgegenwärtig.
        "Friede auf Erden und den Menschen ein Wohlgefallen!" hatten die Engel in der ersten Weihnachtsnacht gesungen. Heute, mehr als 2000 Jahre später, herrscht immer noch kein Frieden auf den Hirtenfeldern von Bethlehem. Immer wieder werden die Stille der Nacht vom Geknatter der Maschinengewehre und vom Kanonendonner der Panzer zerrissen. Seit 15 Monaten tobt die al-Aqsa-Intifada.
        Die traditionelle Geschäftsstraße zum Zentrum in Bethlehem, die "Manger Street" ("Krippenstraße"), hat sich um diese Jahreszeit normalerweise festlich für die Touristenströme herausgeputzt. Nach dem israelischen Einmarsch im November sind viele Geschäfte zerstört, viele Gebäude sind zerschossen und ausgebrannt. Überall sind die Spuren der Straßenkämpfe sichtbar.

    Rambos mit Maschinengewehren

    In den Jahren zuvor waren die Straßen von Bethlehem ab Ende November bereits weihnachtlich geschmückt. Doch statt Lichtergirlanden und Weihnachtsbäumen sieht der Besucher heute vor allem "Märtyrer-Plakate" an den Steinwänden und Metalltüren des arabischen Souk. Aktivisten wie Hussein a-Bayat, Muhammad Marzouk Samour oder Jamil Jadallah Khalifa präsentieren sich darauf stolz in Rambo-Pose mit schweren Maschinengewehren. Stolz erläutert uns ein Passant die Verdienste dieser Freiheitskämpfer - die von den Israelis wegen ihrer Terroranschläge auf israelische Zivilisten in spektakulären Aktionen liquidiert wurden.
        Immer wieder fordern diplomatische Vermittler aus dem Ausland, die sich hier seit Monaten die Türklinken in die Hand drücken, eine Atempause für die Palästinenser, dass Israel die "gezielte Tötung von mutmaßlichen militanten Extremisten" einstellt und die Schließung der Palästinensergebiete lockert. Doch die Geduld der Israelis ist am Ende. Jede Erleichterung der Bewegungsfreiheit der Palästinenser wurde bislang von den radikal-islamischen Bewegungen Hamas und Islamischer Jihad mit neuen Blutbädern in den Straßen der israelischen Städte quittiert. "Diesmal", meint ein Mitarbeiter aus dem Büro des Premierministers, "werden wir den Druck auf die Palästinensische Autonomiebehörde (PA) nicht mehr lockern, bis eine entscheidende Wende in der palästinensischen Politik sichtbar wird."

    "Wie soll ich da noch feiern?"
     
    Die Geburtskirche in Bethlehem ist verlassen

    Am Rande des traditionellen Krippenplatzes im Zentrum von Bethlehem zieht uns Adel in sein kleines Restaurant. "Wegen der schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Situation will keine rechte Weihnachtsfreude aufkommen", erklärt mir der Moslem. "Mehr als 15 Menschen haben die Israelis in den vergangenen Wochen hier erschossen, darunter auch den 15-jährigen Sohn meines christlichen Nachbarn. Wie soll der Weihnachten feiern?" Die 12-jährige Nuha, eine Christin aus Beit Sahour, von den traditionellen Hirtenfeldern, bestätigt seine Sicht: "Meine Tante ist in diesem Jahr gestorben, mein Onkel ist gestorben, mein Freund ist gestorben - wie soll ich da feiern?!"
        Adel weiß, dass der israelische Einmarsch in die Autonomiegebiete eine Reaktion auf die Ermordung des israelischen Tourismusministers Rehava'am Ze'evi war. Er verweist aber sofort darauf, dass dieser Mord der kommunistischen "Volksfront zur Befreiung Palästinas" (PFLP) ein Vergeltungsschlag darauf war, dass PFLP-Chef Abu Ali Mustafa den israelischen Raketenangriff auf sein Büro in Ramallah nicht überlebt hat. Trotz des islamischen Fastenmonats Ramadan serviert uns eine Nachbarin Tee. "Sie ist auch Christin", stellt Adel uns die ältere Dame vor, "und sie hat ihren Sohn in der ersten Intifada 1987 verloren!"
        "Die Amerikaner und die Europäer wollen nicht wahrhaben, was dem palästinensischen Volk angetan wird. Sie sehen nur, wenn ein Israeli oder ein jüdischer Siedler Schaden erleidet. Der amerikanische Nachrichtensender CNN ist jüdisch, die anderen Medien alle auch", sagt Adel und gibt dann in ungewöhnlicher Offenheit zu: "Ich habe hier auch gekämpft. Ich habe meine Heimat gegen die Invasoren verteidigt."
        "Die Israelis wollen uns nichts geben. Seit zehn Jahren haben wir jetzt den Friedensprozess und wir haben nichts erreicht. Wir leben in einem einzigen großen Gefängnis. Es gibt keine echte Unabhängigkeit." Es gibt nichts zu feiern.
        "Die USA wollen die Palästinensische Autonomiebehörde zu einem großen Polizisten für uns machen", interpretiert der Bethlehemer Gastwirt die Politik der westlichen Welt. "Aber wenn man dann nicht tut, was Onkel Sam will, wenn man nicht nach der Pfeife der Israelis tanzt oder wenn man nicht mehr gebraucht wird, lassen sie einen einfach fallen, so wie das mit dem südlibanesischen General Antoine Lahad geschehen ist." Adel spielt damit auf den israelischen Rückzug aus dem Südlibanon im Mai 2000 und den Umgang der Israelis mit ihren südlibanesischen Verbündeten an, was in weiten Kreisen des Nahen Ostens schlicht als "Verrat" bezeichnet wird.
        So offen wie Adel geben nur wenige ihre politische Meinung preis. Vor allem Christen weichen aus: "Politik ist ein schmutziges Geschäft!" hört man immer wieder. Ein palästinensischer Christ lamentiert, wie Leid ihm Arafat tue: "Er ist so machtlos. Er hat überhaupt keine Ehre mehr. Ich befürchte, dass er eines Tages das Handtuch wirft und der Hamas das Feld überlassen wird." Auf die Frage, was das bedeuten würde, meint er lakonisch: "Dann wird Israel viel leiden müssen und wir Palästinenser noch viel mehr."
        Salim Munayer, akademischer Dekan des Bethlehem Bible College sieht keinen realisierbaren Ausweg aus dem "Kreislauf der Gewalt und Rache". "Es gibt keine Hoffnung, weil den Leuten einfach der gute Wille fehlt. Viel zu viele freuen sich über das Leiden der anderen."

    Immer mehr Menschen fragen nach der Bibel

    Der profilierte Versöhnungsaktivist und promovierte Theologe will aber trotzdem die Hoffnung nicht aufgeben. Irgendwie, so meint er, werden Israelis und Palästinenser am Ende doch lernen müssen, miteinander zu leben. Und außerdem sieht Munayer eine neue Offenheit für religiöse Anliegen: "Immer mehr Menschen kommen und wollen die Bibel kennen lernen."
        Bishara Awad gehört zu einer alten palästinensischen Familie, die selbst 1948 aus Ostjerusalem vertrieben wurde. "Wir werden Weihnachten feiern", klingt es fast trotzig aus dem Munde des Gründers der Bibelschule, die auch viele palästinensische Reiseleiter ausbildet. Der Chor des Bethlehem Bible College wird am Heiligabend wie immer auf dem Krippenplatz vor der Geburtskirche singen, "auch wenn keine Touristen kommen." Sein Sohn, Samy Awad, plant für den 28. Dezember ein großes Festival, zu dem 12000 Kinder erwartet werden. Zeichen der Hoffnung in einer finsteren Welt. Andererseits ist Dr. Awad sich darüber im Klaren, dass sie als Christen ein Mitgefühl für das Leiden der Bevölkerung zeigen müssen.
        Ein Moslem, der aus einer einflussreichen Bethlehemer Familie stammt und jetzt sein Geschäft in der Jerusalemer Altstadt betreibt, meint treffend: "In diesem Jahr wird es nur ein Weihnachten für die Religiösen geben. Jetzt kommen nur noch die, die wirklich beten wollen."
     
    Zerschossen und ausgebrannt: das "Paradise Hotel" an der Krippenstraße


    http://www.sonntagsblatt-bayern.de/woche/woche2b.htm

    Weihnachten und Chanukka in Israel
     
    Juden zünden während des Chanukkafestes acht Tage lang jeden Abend eine weitere Kerze am achtarmigen Chanukkaleuchter an, bis am Vorabend des achten Tages alle acht Lampen leuchten.
    Foto: epd-bild

    Roger kam wegen Weihnachten nach Israel. Der amerikanische Jude konnte in den USA den Weihnachtstrubel nicht mehr ertragen. Schon im Oktober hätte er in den Kaufhäusern nur noch Weihnachtslieder gehört. Wer dem vorweihnachtlichen Durcheinander entfliehen will, muss nur in das Land kommen, in dem Jesus geboren wurde. Hier findet kein Weihnachten statt, mit Ausnahme natürlich in Bethlehem oder Nazareth.
        Auch wenn in diesen heute arabischen Städten die Zahl der Moslems wächst und die arabischen Christen ins Ausland abwandern, so stehen doch an jeder Ecke Plastikweihnachtsbäume, die mit bunten Glühbirnen geschmückt sind. Da ist das Interesse am Tourismus und dem damit verbundenen Profit größer als die religiöse Überzeugung. Vor dem Jahrtausendwechsel freute sich das jüdische wie das arabische Israel auf die Touristenflut. Ein Weihnachten zuvor hatte sich Yasser Arafats Ehefrau Suha mit ihrer Tochter den Kameras präsentiert. In jedem Jahr schenkt die Stadtverwaltung Jerusalems allen daran interessierten Christen einen Weihnachtsbaum, der im Land gewachsen ist.
        Für die Juden nimmt an Weihnachten das Leben seinen gewohnten Gang, außer wenn das Christfest mit Chanukka zusammenfällt. Dann erscheinen in den Fenstern die Chanukkaleuchter, dann werden Kartoffelpuffer und "Berliner" gebacken, die Kinder drehen Kreisel und spielen Jojo.
        Chanukka gehört nicht zu den Festen, die Gott dem Volk Israel vom Berg Sinai aus geboten hat. Dieses Fest kommt aus späterer Zeit und wird im Neuen Testament als "Fest der Tempelweihe" erwähnt (Johannes 10,22). Im Makkabäerbuch findet sich ein Gebot, dieses Fest zu feiern, im Andenken an die Wiedereinweihung des Tempels unter der Führung von Judas Makkabäus, so etwa im Jahre 165 v. Chr.
        Judäa war in den Jahren davor, in der Zeit der Seleuziden, von Syrien aus beherrscht worden. Der gesamte Nahe Osten hatte sich im Blick auf Religion und Kultur dem hellenistischen Einfluss gebeugt. 169 v. Chr. plünderte Antiochus III. Epiphanes den Tempel in Jerusalem und erzwang die Anbetung griechischer Götter - auf dem Altar opferte er demonstrativ Schweine. Judas, aus dem Priestergeschlecht der Hasmonäer, gelang es dann wenige Jahre später, Jerusalem zurückzuerobern und den Tempel zu reinigen. Dazu gehörte auch das Anzünden des siebenarmigen Leuchters, der Menorah (2. Mose 27,20).
        Dazu wäre reines Olivenöl nötig gewesen, dessen Vorbereitung acht Tage dauerte. Im ganzen Tempelbereich war aber nur ein kleiner Krug mit reinem Öl zu finden gewesen, das gerade für einen Tag gereicht hätte. Das Chanukkawunder war dann, dass dieser eine Topf reinen Öls acht Tage ausreichte, bis neues Olivenöl zubereitet werden konnte.
        Deshalb zünden Juden während des Chanukkafestes acht Tage lang jeden Abend eine weitere Kerze am achtarmigen(!) Chanukkaleuchter an, bis am Vorabend des achten Tages alle acht Lampen leuchten. Die neunte Kerze, der so genannte "Schmasch" (Diener), wird nur zum Anzünden benützt. Auch die Speisen, die in Öl gebraten werden, sollen an dieses Ölwunder erinnern.
        Unter dem harten Druck der Hellenisten war es Juden sogar verboten, die heiligen Schriften zu studieren. Deswegen, so erzählt man, hätten sie auf dem Tisch Spielsachen vorbereitet. Wenn dann eine Kontrolle kam, versteckten sie schnell die Schriftrollen unter dem Tisch und drehten die Kreisel.
        Kreisel sind ein fester Bestandteil von Chanukka. Auf einem klassischen Chanukkakreisel stehen die hebräischen Anfangsbuchstaben der Worte: "Nes gadol haja po!" "Ein großes Wunder ist hier geschehen!" Aber heute gibt es auch schon grell leuchtende Kreisel, auf denen ganz unverhohlen "Made in China" steht und die unverschämt laut "Happy birthday to you" quäken. Mit den Kindern gießt man Kerzen und bastelt Fensterbilder, und es wird viel gesungen. Erstaunlicherweise wird das Chanukkawunder und der Sieg der Makkabäer über die Griechen auch nach einer Melodie Josef Händels besungen, die man aus christlichen Gesangbüchern kennt: "Tochter Zion, freue dich!"
        Überall in Isreal werden Krapfen verkauft. Wer aber wirklich die Chanukkaatmosphäre auskosten will, muss gegen Abend das ultraorthodoxe Jerusalemer Viertel Mea Schaerim besuchen. Schwarz gekleidete Männer mit Vollbart und Schläfenlocken zünden dann die traditionellen Chanukkaleuchter an und murmeln ihre Gebete. Im Hintergrund sieht man hinter dem heimelig erleuchteten Fenster die Bibliothek voller schön gebundener Bücher.
        Die eigentliche Bedeutung des Chanukkafestes liegt aber in der Erinnerung daran, wie sich die Väter des jüdischen Volkes dem Bestreben der Hellenisten, sie geistlich zu liquidieren, widersetzt haben. So wird das ganze Volk in jedem Jahr neu vor die Frage gestellt, ob es mit seinem Streben, allen anderen Völkern gleich zu sein, nicht freiwillig seine geistlichen Werte aufgibt. Der Name "Makkabäer", "Makkabi", wird als Abkürzung des herrlichen Satzes gedeutet: "Wer ist unter den Götter wie du, Herr?"

    Krista Gerloff


    http://www.sonntagsblatt-bayern.de/woche/woche8.htm

    Gedanken zur Jahreslosung 2002

    Feuerpause des Irrsinns

    "Ja, Gott ist meine Rettung. Ihm will ich vertrauen und niemals verzagen." (Jesaja 12,2)

    Vielleicht muss man sie probehalber einfach einmal in den Mund nehmen, die Worte der neuen Losung. Sie vor sich hinsprechen und hören, wie sie klingen. Noch sind sie ein wenig fremd. Vielleicht klingen sie feierlich. Wie die Sprache in Gottesdiensten, wie Liturgie. Zu feierlich? Oder sie erinnern an Leitsprüche, an Kernsätze. Wie man sie seinerzeit im Unterricht gesprochen hat, aufgesagt hat, gemeinsam, zur Festigung des Lernstoffs.
        Vielleicht tönen sie vollmundig, wie im Brustton der Überzeugung, wie bei Schwüren. Oder kommen sie schüchtern einher? Wie wenn man im Sprechen merkt, dass man den Mund zu voll genommen hat und die Stimme ein wenig zurücknimmt. Oder muss man sie einfach noch üben, diese Worte. Mit ihnen leben, bis sie einem liegen. Bis sie aus vollem Herzen kommen, bis sie zu einem passen, stimmig sind.
        Steil sind sie schon. Wer kann das schon so sagen: "Gott ist meine Rettung!" Wär's nicht leichter, eine Absicht zu formulieren? "Gott soll meine Rettung sein!" Auch die Fortsetzung ist doch so formuliert. "Ihm will ich vertrauen und niemals verzagen!" Wenn's schief geht, hat man wenigstens nicht übertrieben, sich mit seinem Glauben nicht gebrüstet.
        Gott, die Rettung. Wer kann das so sagen? Jesaja kann es so sagen in seinem Psalm. Inmitten seiner vom Krieg gebeutelten Welt. Inmitten seines kleinen Volkes, das zwischen den großen Mächten zerrieben wird. Er kann es so sagen, sozusagen in einer Feuerpause des Irrsinns. Jesaja kann das.
        Jesaja kann noch ganz anderes sagen, im Namen Gottes sagen: "So spricht der Herr: Wenn ihr umkehrtet und stille bliebet, so würde euch geholfen; durch Stillesein und Hoffen würdet ihr stark sein (30,15)." Stillesein und Hoffen als die Lösung? Nichts tun und ausharren. Alles Gott überlassen. Glauben und beten. "Gläubt ihr nicht, so bleibt ihr nicht (7,9)!" Jesaja kann das. Es ist schwer, während alle Welt auf Aktivismus macht, mit großem Gottvertrauen nichts tun. Gott wirken lassen. Wie so oft ist in kleinen Worten der Heiligen Schrift das große Ganze drinnen. Wie so oft steht in einzelnen Versen der ganze Glaube auf dem Prüfstand. "Gott ist meine Rettung!" Das ist nicht nur eine gute Losung für Christen, nicht nur ein hervorragendes Motto für Glaubende. Es ist zugleich die entscheidende Testfrage an das Leben. Wo ist meine Rettung? Worauf zähle ich? Wo ist die Verankerung meines Lebens? Wo bin ich gesichert?
        Aus den Ereignissen der jüngsten Zeit wissen wir, wie gefährdet alles Leben ist. Wie wenig es sich sichern lässt. Wie nahe wir am Tod gebaut haben. Wie wahllos er zuschlägt.
        Möglicherweise ist das Leben nur ein Spiel, bald ein schönes, bald ein böses Spiel. Etwas wie Russisch Roulette, das wer-weiß-wer mit uns spielt. Ohne dass wir je ins Mitspielen eingewilligt hätten. Möglicherweise ist das Leben hier in der sichtbaren Welt wirklich alles. Und danach ist alles aus, einfach aus, vorbei. Und der Mensch wäre etwas wie eine Eintagsfliege, gemessen an den langen Zeiten im All. Dann käme alles darauf an, das Spiel pfiffig zu spielen, es clever zu spielen, möglichst viel herauszuholen, alles hineinzupressen in die paar Jahre. Oder das Spiel laufen zu lassen, es resigniert laufen zu lassen. Oder es augenzwinkernd laufen zu lassen. Wenn's schief geht, war's eben nichts. "C`est la vie", sagt der Spieler, und "rien ne va plus". Oder das Leben hat eben doch mit Gott zu tun. Hat Vorlaufzeiten in der Ewigkeit, hat eine Nachgeschichte in der Ewigkeit oder seine eigentliche Geschichte in der Ewigkeit. Wäre das nicht eine gute Verankerung? "Mein Heim ist nicht in dieser Zeit!", sagt unsere alte Frömmigkeit und "Von Gott kam uns die Rettung her!" Gut zu wissen, "dass da noch etwas ist." Besser zu wissen, dass da noch einer ist, dass da immer noch einer ist, Gott, wo unsereins am Ende ist. Mit dem Latein. Mit dem Leben.
        "Ihm will ich vertrauen und niemals verzagen!" Für das Erste können wir Christen uns einigermaßen verbürgen. Ich will vertrauen. Das Zweite für sich zu reklamieren, wäre vermessen. Niemals verzagen? Es wäre auch ein Glaube denkbar, der, weiß Gott, zu verzagen weiß, und doch zu glauben versteht. "Der Glaube ist keine Weltanschauung, sondern eine wehrlose Weise zu leben, getroste Verzweiflung, und das Mal um Mal", sagt einer, der etwas mehr von den Gezeiten des Glaubens versteht.
        Vielleicht muss man sie probehalber einfach einmal in den Mund nehmen, die Worte der neuen Losung. Sie vor sich hinsprechen und hören, wie sie klingen. Wer weiß, was sie demnächst zu sagen haben.

    Rainer Gollwitzer


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Amnesty International on detention of Dr. Mustafa Barghouti
    Datum: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 21:33:24 +0300
    Von: "SHIBEL" <sshibel@excite.com>
    Rückantwort: "SHIBEL" <SHIBEL@cyberia.net.lb>
    An: Al-Awda-News@yahoogroups.com

    * News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International *

    3 January 2002
    MDE 15/001/2002
    1/02

    The detention and beating of a prominent doctor and human rights defender, and the beating of members of an international delegation underlines the Israeli authorities' apparent disregard for basic human rights during the current intifada, Amnesty International said today.
        Dr Mustafa Barghouti, President of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, was arrested on 2 January 2002 after a press conference with the participation of an international delegation including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and delegates from the USA and many European countries.
        Dr Barghouti was arrested as he left the conference -- where he had spoken about the disastrous impact on medical treatment and care of the Israeli closures of towns and villages in the Occupied Territories -- on the grounds that he had no Israeli pass to enter Jerusalem, where he was born. He was released at al-Ram checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah after four hours' detention at the Moscobiyeh Detention Centre in Jerusalem.
        The beating by Israeli border police took place later that day at the al-Ram checkpoint as international delegates protested at attempts to rearrest Dr Barghouti. Dr Barghouti was released after an hour, with a fractured kneecap and various lacerations and bruises on his face and body. Some international delegates, including Italian MEP Luisa Morgantini, suffered bruises and other injuries.
        "Dr Mustafa Barghouti, who has a world-wide reputation, has been released. However, he is not the first human rights activist to be ill-treated and arrested -- others remain under administrative detention orders which allow indefinite detention without charge or trial," added the organization.
        These include >Abed al-Rahman al-Ahmar, a fieldworker for the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group, who was arrested in Jerusalem in May 2001 because he had no pass, and Daoud al-Dar'awi, a staff member of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights, arrested in September 2001, who was placed under administrative detention in October immediately after a judge ordered his release on bail. >Abed al-Rahman al-Ahmar said he was beaten after arrest and both were reportedly subjected to prolonged sleep deprivation in painful positions under interrogation.
        "The Israeli army responsible for the beating of Dr Barghouti and international delegates is also responsible for repeatedly shooting and killing Palestinians at checkpoints and during demonstrations when the lives of others were not in danger," Amnesty International said.
        More than 700 Palestinians -- including more than 160 children -- have been killed by Israeli security forces since October 2000. Most of these were unlawful killings, yet only the killings of 13 Palestinians with Israeli citizenship in September and October 2000 are being properly investigated.
        "The failure to hold proper investigations into every killing has created an atmosphere where nervous or reckless members of the security forces kill or injure Palestinians with impunity," Amnesty International added.
        "A new mindset which fully respects human rights will not come into being unless all killings, injuries, instances of ill-treatment and other human rights violations are considered important and adequately investigated," the organization warned.
     

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    I condemn any violence and violation of Human Rights
    - may they be done by Israeli or Palestinians.

    I accept the critic not having expressed this so far:

    „The obvious inference one draws when you send out emails opposing detentions of individuals -- wise or unwise -- when you do not speak out even more vociferously against the terrorism permitted by the leaders of their societies is that you oppose the one and not the other.
    That is the double standard about which I write.“
    (a jewish friend - not living in Israel – to whom I have contact since years)
    Wolfgang Plarre
     
    a correspondence
    –  due to chronical order „Original Message“ is given first (and not last as in the mails)
    _______________________________________________________________________

    Betreff: RE: PLEASE forward this message to members of the Israel government
    Datum: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 11:32:31 -0500
    Von: ...
    An: "'Wolfgang Plarre'" <wplarre@bndlg.de>

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Wolfgang Plarre [mailto:wplarre@bndlg.de]
    Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2002 6:03 PM
    To: please_protest-list;  [...]
    Subject: PLEASE forward this message to members of the Israel government

    I beg your support:
      PLEASE forward this message to members of the Israel government

    I very disgust the government of the 'blessed people' doing such violations of Human Rights !

    Sincerly
              Wolfgang Plarre

    visit  http://www.bndlg.de/~wplarre/Sonntagsblatt-51-21-011223.html
    or     http://www.bndlg.de/~wplarre
    _______________________________________________________________________

    Betreff: MUSTAFA BARGHOUTI ARRESTED TWICE - another pre-Zinni  provocation
    Datum: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 23:36:58 +0200
    Von: "Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc)" <info@gush-shalom.org>
    An: tentative list - to get an impression + new subscribers not yet
    listed <info@gush-shalom.org>

    GUSH SHALOM - pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033 - http://www.gush-shalom.org/

    Dr. Mustapha Barghouti's arrest, and re-arrest, constitute another provocation on the eve of American mediator Zinni arriving for one more effort. This government cannot keep itself together in the event of any advance towards peace, so....

    We forward to you two messages, both containing a call for protest letters and addresses of responsible ministers.

    1) The URGENT UPDATE - Dr Barghouthi re-arrested at Ram Checkpoint by Patricia Smith of The Palestine Monitor

    2) The protest by the Israeli organization Physicians for Human Rights (whose close colleague Barghouti is)

    1)
    ------- Forwarded message follows -------
    From:         "Patricia Smith" <patricia@hdip.org>
    To:              <patricia@hdip.org>
    Subject:       URGENT UPDATE - Dr Barghouthi is re-arrested at Ram
    Checkpoint
    Date sent:    Wed, 2 Jan 2002 17:25:06 -0800

    The Palestine Monitor, A PNGO Information Clearinghouse

    URGENT UPDATE
    Dr Barghouthi is re-arrested at Ram Checkpoint

    This morning after giving a press conference at the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi was questioned and taken by five or six Israeli plainclothes policemen.
        After taking his ID the police then demanded he accompany them to the 'Maskopeya' Police compound - also know as the 'Russian Compound' in West Jerusalem. No one else in the group was asked for ID indicating that the police were aware of whom Dr. Barghouthi was - and they had  targeted him in particular.
        Four and a half hours later he was released - HOWEVER as he was being released from the custody of the Israeli police he was re-detained by the Israeli Military.
        While talking to foreign delegates at Ar-Ram checkpoint it appears that the Border Police handed him over to the military, and is being held in Nabi Yacoob settlement. Latest reports indicate that he has been hit by the Israeli military, and therefore we are concerned about his physical safety.
        The foreign delegates, including two members of the European Parliament - Luisa Morgantini (Italy) and Ulla Fandbaek (Denmark), were at the scene; they and other foreigners tried to prevent his detention, yet were met with violence - according to a witness - very aggressive behaviour from the soldiers which included the use of tear gas and sound bombs.
        Dr. Mustafa is a physician and a human rights activist, who has for years peacefully worked to end the Israeli occupation; a leading member of Palestinian civil society, his detention is dangerous and we are extremely concerned as he has still not been released.
        We members of civil society appeal for you to contact your representatives, as well as the Israeli embassy in your countries expressing your outrage at Dr. Barghouthi's arrest - and demand his immediate release.
        You can also call Uzi Landau, Minister for Internal Security: 972 2 5308151; Head of Israeli Police, Shlomo Aharonishki: 972 2 5308118; Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Defense Minister: 972 3 6976218, Nissim Dahan, Health Minister, 972 2 6787662, and demand Dr. Barghouthi's release.

    For more information please call The Palestine Monitor +972 2 2985372, or 052 396196.
     

    2)
    ------- Forwarded message follows -------
    From:   physicians for human rights-israel <phr@netvision.net.il>

    02.01.2002

    PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS-ISRAEL

    URGENT APPEAL

    DR. MUSTAFA BARGHOUTI, president of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (UPMRC), was arrested just before noon upon his exit from a press conference at the Americal Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem, and is now being held 'for questioning' by Israeli security authorities at the 'Russian Compound' holding facility in West Jerusalem.
        Dr. Mustafa Barghouti is the president of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (UPMRC), a community-based Palestinian health organization founded in 1979. He is a long-standing partner of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in the struggle for human rights in the Occupied Territories.
        Dr. Barghouti is a dedicated and courageous activist for health and human rights of the Palestinian population. As a doctor, he has devoted his life to the struggle for justice, peace and human rights.
        He has taken an active part in the struggle for autonomy of medical professionals and for free passage of patients, doctors and medical goods at all times. At the press conference this morning, he described the disastrous effects of current Israeli policies on the health of the Palestinian population.
        His arrest, allegedly due to 'illegal presence' in East Jerusalem, is in blatant opposition to the basic tenets of human rights, and is evidently intended to prevent dissemination of information regarding violations of human rights. It is also aimed to deny free access of Palestinians to East Jerusalem, which has always been the cultural and spiritual center of Palestinian life, as well as home to the central medical institutions serving the West Bank.
        Physicians for Human Rights-Israel strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of Dr. Barghouti, and calls for his immediate release.
        We call on Israelis, Palestinians, and the global community to rise up and protest against the erosion of medical autonomy and freedom by Israeli authorities in Israel and the Occupied Territories, and against the denial of the freedom of expression.
        Write protest letters to: Uzi Landau, Minister for Internal Security: 972 2 5308151; Head of Israeli Police, Shlomo Aharonishki: 972 2 5308118; Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Defense Minister: 972 3 6976218, Nissim Dahan, Health Minister, 972 2 6787662.

    Details: Hadas Ziv, Miri Weingarten

    Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 1988, comprising some 500 members who combat Israeli health and human rights violations, and strive to ensure equal and adequate health services for all.

    Tel: 972 3 6873718
    Fax: 972 3 6873029
    e-mail: phr@netvision.net.il

    To contribute to our work please send cheques to: 'Physicians for Human Rights-Israel', 30 Levanda St., Tel-Aviv 66020, Israel. Tax-Exempt contributions may be made through the New Israel Fund. Contributions should be marked as donor-advised to Physicians for Human Rights-Israel: New Israel Fund, PO Box 91588, Washington DC 20090-1588, USA, or New Israel Fund of Canada, 801 Eglinton Avenue, West Suite # 401, Toronto, Ontario M5n 1E3, Canada, or New Israel Fund of Great Britain, 26 Enford Street, London, W1h 2DD, Great Britain

    ---

    If you got this forwarded, and would like to receive our emails directly you can subscribe by sending a blank message (from the address where you want to receive them) to: Gush-Shalom-subscribe@topica.com In order to receive Hebrew [not always same as English] mail to: test_gush-shalom.org-subscribe@topica.com

    If you want to support Gush Shalom's activities you can send a cheque
        or cash, wrapped well in an extra piece of paper, to:
              Gush Shalom pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033.

    For more about Gush Shalom you are invited to visit our renewed website:
    http://www.gush-shalom.org/
    -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-

    SUBSCRIBE YOURSELF:
    mail (don't use reply) to Gush-Shalom-subscribe@topica.com

    [ visiting card deleted ]

    ----- End Original Message -----
     

    Once again, you are outraged at an arrest of a Palestinian citizen, but not at suicide bombs killing scores of Israelis. Double standard???

    The U.S. can go after terrorists. India can go after terrorists. The Philippines can go after terrorists. The Israelis cannot. Double standard???

    The world presses Israel not to make incursions into Palestinian territory to capture terrorists. However, the world presses Israel to allow Palestinians to return to their jobs in Israel. The Palestinian areas should have sovereignty, but Israeli areas should not. Double standard???

    You vocally oppose settlements, but not terrorism. Double standard???

    There is no moral, political, or legal comparison between the Palestinian suicide bombers and Arafat's officials who harbor them on the one hand and the things you seem so outraged about on the Israeli side. I think it's time you see the imbalance in your thoughts.

    And, by the way, Israel is the government of Israeli Jews, Israeli Arab Christians, Israeli Arab Muslims, Israeli Druze, and many other peoples. I resent your implication that Israel is only the government of the "blessed people". There are anti-Semitic overtones in this comment which cause me very serious concern.
    _______________________________________________________________________

    Betreff: RE: PLEASE forward this message to members of the Israel government
    Datum: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 15:18:56 -0500
    Von:  ...
    An: "'Wolfgang Plarre'" <wplarre@bndlg.de>

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Wolfgang Plarre [mailto:wplarre@bndlg.de]
    Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 3:11 PM
    To: ...
    Subject: Re: PLEASE forward this message to members of the Israel government
     

    Dear ... ,
    apparently you are angered: Double standard ?

    > Once again, you are outraged at an arrest of a Palestinian citizen,
    > but not at suicide bombs killing scores of Israelis. Double
    > standard???

    I'm against any suicide bombers, but how to try to influence them, to say them, their behaviour is wrong, if they are dead ?

    > The U.S. can go after terrorists. India can go after terrorists. The
    > Philippines can go after terrorists. The Israelis cannot. Double
    > standard???

    It is not known to me, Dr. Barghouti or anyone of the international group (including members of the European Parliament) recently visiting Israel and Palestina are being terrorists - or GUSH SHALOM or The Palestine Monitor.

    > The world presses Israel not to make incursions into Palestinian
    > territory to capture terrorists. However, the world presses Israel to
    > allow Palestinians to return to their jobs in Israel. The Palestinian
    > areas should have sovereignty, but Israeli areas should not. Double
    > standard???

    Israeli areas should not have sovereignity ? - I never said something like this.
    My opinion: Palestinians and Israeli should have their sovereignity.
    My hope: It should be common sovereignity (see Berlin now or Mitrovica perhaps in future)

    > You vocally oppose settlements, but not terrorism. Double standard???

    Did I ?
    But if compounds not belonging to oneself are occupied, this is injustice (or crime ?). - See the Serbian houses or appartments in Kosov@ 'used' now by other people.

    > There is no moral, political, or legal comparison between the
    > Palestinian suicide bombers and Arafat's officials who harbor them on
    > the one hand and the things you seem so outraged about on the Israeli
    > side. I think it's time you see the imbalance in your thoughts.

    To fight terror and crime is necessary in every society, but 'law and order'-policy often gets it's own "un-law": See developments in Nazi-Germany, in former Yugoslavia, in Kosov@ in the months after the war.
    I admit the difficulties to keep Human Rights in any struggle against terrorism (I think on RAF years ago in Germany), to separate violent 'forces' from sincer people struggling for an other society of common live.
    I don't support any violence on any side.

    > And, by the way, Israel is the government of Israeli Jews, Israeli
    > Arab Christians, Israeli Arab Muslims, Israeli Druze, and many other
    > peoples. I resent your implication that Israel is only the government
    > of the "blessed people". There are anti-Semitic overtones in this
    > comment which cause me very serious concern.

     ?

    Yes, I would really like Israel government to be a good governance for all the people of all ethnicities and all nations origin.
    (Will the new Kosov@-parliament be able to form such government ?)

    > Double standard???

    Bible says:

    And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy
    against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith
    the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe [be] to the shepherds of Israel
    that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
    Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are
    fed: [but] ye feed not the flock.
    The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which
    was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have
    ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that
    which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
    And they were scattered, because [there is] no shepherd: and they became
    meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
    My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill:
    yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did
    search or seek [after them].
    Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
    [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey,
    and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because [there
    was] no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the
    shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
    Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
    Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against the shepherds; and I
    will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from
    feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more;
    for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat
    for them.
    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, [even] I, will both search my
    sheep, and seek them out.
    As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his
    sheep [that are] scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will
    deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the
    cloudy and dark day.
    And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the
    countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the
    mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of
    the country.
    I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of
    Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and
    [in] a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
    I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord
    GOD.
    I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven
    away, and will bind up [that which was] broken, and will strengthen that
    which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed
    them with judgment.
    And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, [are] men, [and] I [am] your
    God, saith the Lord GOD.

    Hes 34, 1-31
    Authorized Version 1769 (KJV)

    I hope for good 'shepherds' - for Israeli and for Palestinians,
    as I hope for good 'shepherds' for ALL the people in Kosov@.

    And I'm against all oppressors of human live, all torturers, all violaters of Human Rights.

    Please excuse my bad English - my difficulties to express, what I want to say.

    Sincerly
               Wolfgang

    in the moment I want to send this mail I receive:
    _______________________________________________________________________
    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Amnesty International on detention of Dr. Mustafa Barghouti
    Datum: Thu, 3 Jan 2002 21:33:24 +0300
    Von: "SHIBEL" <sshibel@excite.com>
    Rückantwort: "SHIBEL" <SHIBEL@cyberia.net.lb>
    An: Al-Awda-News@yahoogroups.com

    * News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International *

    3 January 2002
    MDE 15/001/2002
    1/02

    The detention and beating of a prominent doctor and human rights defender, and the beating of members of an international delegation underlines the Israeli authorities' apparent disregard for basic human rights during the current intifada, Amnesty International said today.
        Dr Mustafa Barghouti, President of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees, was arrested on 2 January 2002 after a press conference with the participation of an international delegation including Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and delegates from the USA and many European countries.
        Dr Barghouti was arrested as he left the conference -- where he had spoken about the disastrous impact on medical treatment and care of the Israeli closures of towns and villages in the Occupied Territories -- on the grounds that he had no Israeli pass to enter Jerusalem, where he was born. He was released at al-Ram checkpoint between Jerusalem and Ramallah after four hours' detention at the Moscobiyeh Detention Centre in Jerusalem.
        The beating by Israeli border police took place later that day at the al-Ram checkpoint as international delegates protested at attempts to rearrest Dr Barghouti. Dr Barghouti was released after an hour, with a fractured kneecap and various lacerations and bruises on his face and body. Some international delegates, including Italian MEP Luisa Morgantini, suffered bruises and other injuries.
        "Dr Mustafa Barghouti, who has a world-wide reputation, has been released. However, he is not the first human rights activist to be ill-treated and arrested -- others remain under administrative detention orders which allow indefinite detention without charge or trial," added the organization.
        These include >Abed al-Rahman al-Ahmar, a fieldworker for the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group, who was arrested in Jerusalem in May 2001 because he had no pass, and Daoud al-Dar'awi, a staff member of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights, arrested in September 2001, who was placed under administrative detention in October immediately after a judge ordered his release on bail. >Abed al-Rahman al-Ahmar said he was beaten after arrest and both were reportedly subjected to prolonged sleep deprivation in painful positions under interrogation.
        "The Israeli army responsible for the beating of Dr Barghouti and international delegates is also responsible for repeatedly shooting and killing Palestinians at checkpoints and during demonstrations when the lives of others were not in danger," Amnesty International said.
        More than 700 Palestinians -- including more than 160 children -- have been killed by Israeli security forces since October 2000. Most of these were unlawful killings, yet only the killings of 13 Palestinians with Israeli citizenship in September and October 2000 are being properly investigated.
        "The failure to hold proper investigations into every killing has created an atmosphere where nervous or reckless members of the security forces kill or injure Palestinians with impunity," Amnesty International added.
        "A new mindset which fully respects human rights will not come into being unless all killings, injuries, instances of ill-treatment and other human rights violations are considered important and adequately investigated," the organization warned.
     

    ****************************************************************
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    [ quotation of original message (see above) and visiting card deleted]

    ----- End Original Message -----
     

    The obvious inference one draws when you send out emails opposing detentions of individuals -- wise or unwise -- when you do not speak out even more vociferously against the terrorism permitted by the leaders of their societies is that you oppose the one and not the other.

    That is the double standard about which I write.
     


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi is Released After Being Injured by Israeli Army
    Datum: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 18:01:22 -0500
    Von: "Zahi Damuni" <zdamuni@msn.com>
    An: "Al-Awda News" <Al-Awda-News@yahoogroups.com>

    From: "Patricia Smith" <patricia@hdip.org>

    The Palestine Monitor, A PNGO Information Clearinghouse

    PRESS CONFERENCE SUMMARY
    Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi is Released After Being Injured by Israeli Army as a Punishment for Non-Violent, Peaceful Activities
    2 January 2, 2002 - 9PM

    After being arrested this morning after giving a press conference in American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem, and held for four 4 hours, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi was released at Ar-Ram checkpoint, taken into custody for a second time, and finally released at 6PM (local time). Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi then gave a second press conference at the Palestinian Media Center in Ramallah this evening.

    The morning's press conference was held with foreign participants of the Grassroots International Protection for Palestinians (GIPP) campaign, in which various foreign delegates participated, including Ms. Luisa Morgantini, a member of the European parliament.

    Upon leaving the hotel Dr. Barghouthi was apprehended by police and Shabak operatives, and taken to the Russian Compound - a prison and detention center. After four hours he was released on bail.

    The reason given for his arrest was that he did not have permission to be in Jerusalem as he carries West Bank identification. Dr. Barghouthi said he did not need such a permit as he was in occupied East Jerusalem, not in Israel, and as a Palestinians he had an undeniable right to be there.

    Upon his release at the Ram checkpoint Dr. Barghouthi and the foreign delegates were talking to the media when the border police attempted to take him a second time. All present protested and tried to protect the doctor. At this point the Israeli army and border police became very violent and aggressively beat some of the people present, opening fire in the air with live ammunition, and used tear gas and sound bombs. Many people were battered in the ensuing chaos, and some sustained minor injuries. The police hit one cameraman trying to film the events in the head, and Ms. Morgantini and other delegates were thrown to the ground.

    Ms. Morgantini described the actions for the border guards and police as "unbelievably vicious, and completely unnecessary. The things they did and the force they used was just incredible, with such violence." She intends to submit a formal complaint to the European Parliament about today's events.

    Eventually the police managed to take Dr. Mustafa and detained him for a further hour at Nevi Yacob settlement.

    Upon his second release Dr. Barghouthi went to hospital where he underwent tests and was found to have a fractured kneecap and various lacerations and bruises on his face and body.

    In the evenings press conference Dr. Barhouthi thanked all the foreign friends, colleagues and diplomatic representatives who mobilized so quickly and efficiently to work towards his release, and also gave sincere thanks to the foreign delegates with him at the time who protested at the scene.

    The Israeli authorities claimed the doctor was in East Jerusalem illegally, however he pointed out that he had a legitimate right to be in Jerusalem based on three things: like all Palestinians he has every right to be in Jerusalem, as it was occupied in 1967 and remains an integral part of Palestine, secondly he was born in Jerusalem, and finally as a doctor he has the right to freedom of movement.

    Dr. Barghouthi's arrest was only one of thousands during the last 16 months of the Intifada; many people still remain in detention. It is also, as the doctor pointed out, minor when compared to the 944 people who have lost their lives in the Intifada, the 25,000 people who have been injured, including 2,000 with will be severely disabled for life, and the destruction of homes, lives and livelihoods.

    Dr. Barghouthi believes "today's events were an indication of how angry Israel is at the triumph of the GIPP delegations, which had two major successes through their peaceful and non violent actions. They showed to the people overseas the real face of the Palestinians, and just as importantly illustrated the reality of the situation here in Palestine - and that is a brutal Israeli military occupation."

    The Israeli violence at the second apprehending of Dr. Barhouthi is indicative of the brutality and severe aggression of the military and the occupation - reflected in the day-to-day reality of the closure and siege that is collectively punishing 3.3 million Palestinians, people who are already subjected to occupation and military aggression.

    Dr. Barghouthi reiterated his, and every Palestinians, entitlement to go to Jerusalem, his determination to continue with the GIPP programme, and the continuation of the struggle for independence for Palestine.

    "We will remain steadfast, until the last settler leaves, until there is a just and independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as it capital, until all UN resolutions are applied, until just peace and security is achieved for al people in the region, Palestinians will remain steadfast. Our determination, with the support of a strong international pressure will lead to our rights being respected, and a just and viable democratic Palestine will emerge."

    For more information please call Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi 050 254218
    The Palestine Monitor +972 2 2985372, or 052 396196


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] URGENT UPDATE - Dr Barghouthi is re-arrested at Ram Checkpoint
    Datum: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 10:49:58 -0500
    Von: "Zahi Damuni" <zdamuni@msn.com>
    An: "Al-Awda News" <Al-Awda-News@yahoogroups.com>

    From: "Patricia Smith" <patricia@hdip.org>

    The Palestine Monitor, A PNGO Information Clearinghouse

    URGENT UPDATE

    Dr Barghouthi is re-arrested at Ram Checkpoint

    This morning after giving a press conference at the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi was questioned and taken by five or six Israeli plainclothes policemen.
        After taking his ID the police then demanded he accompany them to the 'Maskopeya' Police compound - also know as the 'Russian Compound' in West Jerusalem. No one else in the group was asked for ID indicating that the police were aware of whom Dr. Barghouthi was - and they had targeted him in particular.
        Four and a half hours later he was released - HOWEVER as he was being released from the custody of the Israeli police he was re-detained by the Israeli Military.
        While talking to foreign delegates at Ar-Ram checkpoint it appears that the Border Police handed him over to the military, and is being held in Nabi Yacoob settlement. Latest reports indicate that he has been hit by the Israeli military, and therefore we are concerned about his physical safety.
        The foreign delegates, including two members of the European Parliament - Luisa Morgantini (Italy) and Ulla Fandbaek (Denmark), were at the scene; they and other foreigners tried to prevent his detention, yet were met with violence - according to a witness - very aggressive behaviour from the soldiers which included the use of tear gas and sound bombs.
        Dr. Mustafa is a physician and a human rights activist, who has for years peacefully worked to end the Israeli occupation; a leading member of Palestinian civil society, his detention is dangerous and we are extremely concerned as he has still not been released.
        We members of civil society appeal for you to contact your representatives, as well as the Israeli embassy in your countries expressing your outrage at Dr. Barghouthi's arrest - and demand his immediate release.
        You can also call Uzi Landau, Minister for Internal Security: 972 2 5308151; Head of Israeli Police, Shlomo Aharonishki: 972 2 5308118; Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Defense Minister: 972 3 6976218, Nissim Dahan, Health Minister, 972 2 6787662, and demand Dr. Barghouthi's release.

    For more information please call The Palestine Monitor +972 2 2985372, or 052 396196.

    _______________________________________________________________________
    Betreff: MUSTAFA BARGHOUTI ARRESTED TWICE - another pre-Zinni provocation
    Datum: Wed, 2 Jan 2002 23:36:58 +0200
    Von: "Gush Shalom (Israeli Peace Bloc)" <info@gush-shalom.org>
    An: tentative list - to get an impression + new subscribers not yet listed <info@gush-shalom.org>

    GUSH SHALOM - pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033 - http://www.gush-shalom.org/

    Dr. Mustapha Barghouti's arrest, and re-arrest, constitute another provocation on the eve of American mediator Zinni arriving for one more effort. This government cannot keep itself together in the event of any advance towards peace, so....

    We forward to you two messages, both containing a call for protest letters and addresses of responsible ministers.

    1) The URGENT UPDATE - Dr Barghouthi re-arrested at Ram Checkpoint
    by Patricia Smith of The Palestine Monitor

    2) The protest by the Israeli organization Physicians for Human Rights (whose close colleague Barghouti is)

    1)
    ------- Forwarded message follows -------
    From:         "Patricia Smith" <patricia@hdip.org>
    To:              <patricia@hdip.org>
    Subject:       URGENT UPDATE - Dr Barghouthi is re-arrested at Ram Checkpoint
    Date sent:    Wed, 2 Jan 2002 17:25:06 -0800

    The Palestine Monitor, A PNGO Information Clearinghouse

    URGENT UPDATE
    Dr Barghouthi is re-arrested at Ram Checkpoint

    This morning after giving a press conference at the American Colony Hotel in Jerusalem, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi was questioned and taken by five or six Israeli plainclothes policemen.
        After taking his ID the police then demanded he accompany them to the ‘Maskopeya’ Police compound – also know as the ‘Russian Compound’ in West Jerusalem. No one else in the group was asked for ID indicating that the police were aware of whom Dr. Barghouthi was – and they had targeted him in particular.
        Four and a half hours later he was released - HOWEVER as he was being released from the custody of the Israeli police he was re-detained by the Israeli Military.
        While talking to foreign delegates at Ar-Ram checkpoint it appears that the Border Police handed him over to the military, and is being held in Nabi Yacoob settlement. Latest reports indicate that he has been hit by the Israeli military, and therefore we are concerned about his physical safety.
        The foreign delegates, including two members of the European Parliament - Luisa Morgantini (Italy) and Ulla Fandbaek (Denmark), were at the scene; they and other foreigners tried to prevent his detention, yet were met with violence - according to a witness - very aggressive behaviour from the soldiers which included the use of tear gas and sound bombs.
        Dr. Mustafa is a physician and a human rights activist, who has for years peacefully worked to end the Israeli occupation; a leading member of Palestinian civil society, his detention is dangerous and we are extremely concerned as he has still not been released.
        We members of civil society appeal for you to contact your representatives, as well as the Israeli embassy in your countries expressing your outrage at Dr. Barghouthi’s arrest – and demand his immediate release.
        You can also call Uzi Landau, Minister for Internal Security: 972 2 5308151; Head of Israeli Police, Shlomo Aharonishki: 972 2 5308118; Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Defense Minister: 972 3 6976218, Nissim Dahan, Health Minister, 972 2 6787662, and demand Dr. Barghouthi's release.

    For more information please call The Palestine Monitor +972 2 2985372, or 052 396196.
     

    2)
    ------- Forwarded message follows -------
    From:   physicians for human rights-israel <phr@netvision.net.il>

    02.01.2002

    PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS-ISRAEL

    URGENT APPEAL

    DR. MUSTAFA BARGHOUTI, president of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (UPMRC), was arrested just before noon upon his exit from a press conference at the Americal Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem, and is now being held 'for questioning' by Israeli security authorities at the 'Russian Compound' holding facility in West Jerusalem.
        Dr. Mustafa Barghouti is the president of the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (UPMRC), a community-based Palestinian health organization founded in 1979. He is a long-standing partner of Physicians for Human Rights-Israel in the struggle for human rights in the Occupied Territories.
        Dr. Barghouti is a dedicated and courageous activist for health and human rights of the Palestinian population. As a doctor, he has devoted his life to the struggle for justice, peace and human rights.
        He has taken an active part in the struggle for autonomy of medical professionals and for free passage of patients, doctors and medical goods at all times. At the press conference this morning, he described the disastrous effects of current Israeli policies on the health of the Palestinian population.
        His arrest, allegedly due to 'illegal presence' in East Jerusalem, is in blatant opposition to the basic tenets of human rights, and is evidently intended to prevent dissemination of information regarding violations of human rights. It is also aimed to deny free access of Palestinians to East Jerusalem, which has always been the cultural and spiritual center of Palestinian life, as well as home to the central medical institutions serving the West Bank.
        Physicians for Human Rights-Israel strongly condemns the unlawful arrest of Dr. Barghouti, and calls for his immediate release.
        We call on Israelis, Palestinians, and the global community to rise up and protest against the erosion of medical autonomy and freedom by Israeli authorities in Israel and the Occupied Territories, and against the denial of the freedom of expression.
        Write protest letters to: Uzi Landau, Minister for Internal Security: 972 2 5308151; Head of Israeli Police, Shlomo Aharonishki: 972 2 5308118; Binyamin Ben Eliezer, Defense Minister: 972 3 6976218, Nissim Dahan, Health Minister, 972 2 6787662.

    Details: Hadas Ziv, Miri Weingarten

    Physicians for Human Rights-Israel is a non-partisan, non-profit organization founded in 1988, comprising some 500 members who combat Israeli health and human rights violations, and strive to ensure equal and adequate health services for all.

    Tel: 972 3 6873718
    Fax: 972 3 6873029
    e-mail: phr@netvision.net.il

    To contribute to our work please send cheques to: ‘Physicians for Human Rights-Israel‘, 30 Levanda St., Tel-Aviv 66020, Israel. Tax-Exempt contributions may be made through the New Israel Fund. Contributions should be marked as donor-advised to Physicians for Human Rights–Israel: New Israel Fund, PO Box 91588, Washington DC 20090-1588, USA, or New Israel Fund of Canada, 801 Eglinton Avenue, West Suite # 401, Toronto, Ontario M5n 1E3, Canada, or New Israel Fund of Great Britain, 26 Enford Street, London, W1h 2DD, Great Britain

    ---

    If you got this forwarded, and would like to receive our emails directly you can subscribe by sending a blank message (from the address where you want to receive them) to: Gush-Shalom-subscribe@topica.com In order to receive Hebrew [not always same as English] mail to: test_gush-shalom.org-subscribe@topica.com

    If you want to support Gush Shalom's activities you can send a cheque
        or cash, wrapped well in an extra piece of paper, to:
              Gush Shalom pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033.

    For more about Gush Shalom  you are invited to visit our renewed website:
    http://www.gush-shalom.org/
    -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-

    SUBSCRIBE YOURSELF:
    mail (don't use reply) to Gush-Shalom-subscribe@topica.com


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Israeli Minister of Public Security admits criminal intentions
    Datum: Tue, 1 Jan 2002 17:06:00 +0300
    Von: "SHIBEL" <sshibel@excite.com>
    Rückantwort: "SHIBEL" <SHIBEL@cyberia.net.lb>
    An: Al-Awda-News <Al-Awda-News@yahoogroups.com>

    Listen to Gideon Ezra Deputy Israeli Minister of Public Security pronouncing his admittance of continued criminal intentions.

    "Deputy Minister of Public Security, Gideon Ezra said:
    'the decision could negatively impact the motivation of all those serving in the security services in Israel’s war against terrorism'."

    Yatom Denied Appointment
    27 December 2001

    The Israeli Supreme Court this morning ruled against the appointment of Ehud Yatom as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for the War on Terrorism. The justices’ said that Yatom is unfit to serve in the position due to his involvement in the 1984 “Bus 300 incident,” in which GSS agents were found to have killed terrorists while interrogating them. The Arabs were captured after having hijacked a busload of Israelis. The GSS attempted to cover-up the affair. Knesset members from Meretz, Yossi Sarid and Mossy Raz were responsible for introducing the appeal to the Supreme Court.
        Yatom reacted to the decision saying that, “It is a sad day for the members of the security services in Israel… anyone who gives of himself for the security of the state from the time he was eighteen years old does not see the state support him... maybe the High Court is mistaken… and it lives in an ivory tower, unaware of what is going on down here.”
        Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer expressed sorrow over the court’s decision but nevertheless said that it must be honored. Minister of Infrastructure Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beitenu Party) vehemently opposed the court’s decision and said that it was indicative of a mentality “reminiscent of Iran’s Ayatollahs.” He said that the court is an activist one, "ruling again on matters beyond its jurisdiction." He accused the justices of using the court for their own ideological ends instead of enforcing a consistent application of the law. In addition, Lieberman stated that a large constituency of Israeli citizens are not willing to accept the extreme leftist ways of the court.
        Deputy Minister of Public Security, Gideon Ezra said the decision could negatively impact the motivation of all those serving in the security services in Israel’s war against terrorism. Yossi Sarid of Meretz said that the High Court spared the Prime Minister an embarrassing and problematic appointment and that he should be thankful.
    _______________________________________________________________________
    Betreff: Re: [AL-AWDA-News] Israeli Minister of Public Security admitscriminal intentions
    Datum: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 15:12:26 -0000
    Von: "sshibel" <sshibel@excite.com>
    An: Al-Awda-News@yahoogroups.com

    Posted for the benefit of Gretchen Theobald who "doubted" authenticity of this posting. SOURCE of this piece of news shown below.

    Arutz Sheva IsraelNationalNews.com
    http://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id= 355

    Yatom Denied Appointment

    The Israeli Supreme Court this morning ruled against the appointment of Ehud Yatom as Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for the War on Terrorism. The justices' said that Yatom is unfit to serve in the position due to his involvement in the 1984 "Bus 300 incident," in which GSS agents were found to have killed terrorists while interrogating them. The Arabs were captured after having hijacked a busload of Israelis. The GSS attempted to cover-up the affair. Knesset members from Meretz, Yossi Sarid and Mossy Raz were responsible for introducing the appeal to the Supreme Court.
        Yatom reacted to the decision saying that, "It is a sad day for the members of the security services in Israel… anyone who gives of himself for the security of the state from the time he was eighteen years old does not see the state support him... maybe the High Court is mistaken… and it lives in an ivory tower, unaware of what is going on down here."
        Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer expressed sorrow over the court's decision but nevertheless said that it must be honored. Minister of infrastructure Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beitenu Party)vehemently opposed the court's decision and said that it was indicative of a mentality "reminiscent of Iran's Ayatollahs." He said that the court is an activist one, "ruling again on matters beyond its jurisdiction." He accused the justices of using the court for their own ideological ends instead of enforcing a consistent application of the law. In addition, Lieberman stated that a large constituency of Israeli citizens are not willing to accept the extreme leftist ways of the court.
        Deputy Minister of Public Security, Gideon Ezra said the decision could negatively impact the motivation of all those serving in the security services in Israel's war against terrorism. Yossi Sarid of Meretz said that the High Court spared the Prime Minister an embarrassing and problematic appointment and that he should be thankful.


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Dec. 31: In spite of all, a jubilant mood of reconciliation
    Datum: Tue, 1 Jan 2002 00:39:16 +0200
    Von: "Gush Shalom " <otherisr@actcom.co.il>
    Rückantwort: info@gush-shalom.org

    GUSH SHALOM - pob 3322, Tel-Aviv 61033 - http://www.gush-shalom.org/

    IN SPITE OF ALL, A JUBILANT MOOD OF RECONCILIATION

    [The following report was written by Beate Zilversmidt]

    Dec. 31, 2001
    While waiting in the yard of the "Freres School" near to the Old City's New Gate, Palestinians, foreigners and Israelis were developing vivid mutual conversations. It was one of those pleasant, sunny December days. The waiting was for for the group from Bethlehem.

    Already on the way from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem we had heard on the radio that the army prevented thousands of Palestinians from passing the roadblock on the way from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Gush Shalom had hired a bus for the Tel-Avivians, and called upon the Jerusalemites, to attend the "Peace Circle around the Old City" - so carefully planned by a Palestinian coalition, including high-ranking Muslim and Christian bodies and representatives of the Palestinian parliament, and to which Israeli peace activists were specifically invited.

    We had known from the start that it wasn't very likely that the army would let thousands of demonstrators walk from Bethlehem through the checkpoint to Jerusalem - to join us and make hand in hand a "Peace Circle around the Old City." A joint action of this kind had not taken place for months. The months of violence and contra-violence, revenge and revenge-upon-revenge, had created a new distance. With the army not only barring Palestinians at roadblocks but also prohibiting Israelis from paying them solidarity visits, the only ones who were going between were the foreigners, the hundreds who came especially in the December month as "international monitors from below."

    During frentic phone consultations it became clear that only the internationals and a VIP Palestinian delegation would be able to pass the Bethlehem roadblock to join us, and that the two thousand Palestinians whose way was blocked had started their midday prayers near the roadblock - a form of protest and also a wise way to diffuse tensions...

    So, we started to march through the many colourfull alleys winding through the Old City not thousands, but hundreds, carrying the slogans 'Open Jerusalem' and 'Stop Occupation'. A French cohort started chanting "Free, Free, Free Palestine!" / "Free, Free, Free Palestine!" and "Stop, Stop, Stop Occupation!". Our "Shalom Ken, Kibush Lo' - rather downtrodden for Israeli ears - was immediately integrated. ("What does it mean?" "Peace Yes - Occupation No!"). The merchants came out of their shops to look at this unusual parade.
    We went through the Via Dolorosa, an unusual pelgrimage of believers, and seculars from many nationalities - in the front row Sari Nusseibeh, Father William Shomali and Uri Avnery. Then we entered the beautiful open space behind St. Anne's Church and all the time there continued to stream in more people, among them the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabagh, Lutheran Bishof Munib Younan and Anglican Bishof Riah Abu el-Asal, as well as Louisa Morgantini, the devoted member of the European Parliament who brought with her 160 Italian voluntary peace keepers. (Nobel Laureate Mairead Maquire of Northern-Ireland should have been there too, but decided to stay in Bethlehem with those who were not allowed through.)

    The ceremony which ensued there, today in that oasis in the middle of this  most contested place, the Old City of Jerusalem, was a unique experience for those present.
    The 2000 year old Sermon on the Mount, which was read in Arabic and English turned out to apply well to the present situation.
    The very moving prayer written by the late Faysal Al-Husseini ten years ago was read in Arabic by Sari Nusseibeh, in a voice deep with restrained emotion, and in English by Fadwa Husseini - Feisal's daughter.*
    Michel Sabagh, the Latin Patriarch called for recognizing that occupation is the root cause of hatred and bloodshed: "There can be no peace and security for Israelis without peace and security for Palestinians; there can be  no peace on destroyed homes; there can be no peace with assassinations. But, we Palestinians will also not have peace if we take retribution of the same kind. As Mahatma Gandhi said, surrendering to evil is losing one's humanity but resisting evil with evil methods is worse than that."
    Then came Uri Avnery: "You Palestinians are undergoing terrible times of increasing oppression. We think of you and feel with you day and night. In these times of bloodshed it is easy to despair but we must not lose hope. Peace is not made by politicians. Peace is not made by the men of war, but by the people who seek it. We have come here as the true Israeli patriots, carriers of the Jewish tradition which says: 'Justice, justice shallt thou pursue', and 'Seek peace and pursue it.' In the end the two peoples shall win, the two peoples shall live together in peace. There is no other way. The day will come, and may come sooner than you think when we gather again at this church but then it will be in East Jerusalem, capital of Palestine."

    After these words the music started - interrupted for a few words in Arabic delivered by the Iraqi-born Meretz activist Latif Dori, as well as the Jewish Saturday prayer "Shalom Aleichem Malachey Hashalom" (Peace unto you, Angels of Peace) whose melody was perfectly captured by Reuven Moskovitz on his mouth organ.

    Then again the church orchestra, and everybody had gotten into such a jubilant mood of reconciliation that people started spontaneously dancing in big circles, men and women, clerics and activists, young and old. And it was no shame to dance and be united in love and happiness. For a moment we had overcome reality. We went home stronger people.
     

    * Prayer of Faysal Al-Husseini

    Oh God, the chest is replete with bitterness... do not turn that into spite.
    Oh God, the heart is replete with pain... do not turn that into vengeance.
    Oh God, the spirit is replete with fear... do not turn that into hatred.
    Oh God, my body is weak... do not turn my weakness into despair.
    Oh God, I your servant am holding the embers... so help me maintain my steadfastness.
    Oh God, faith is love... Oh God, faith is forgiveness... Oh God, faith is conviction...
    Oh God, do not put of the flame of faith from my chest.
    Oh God, we wanted for the Intifada a white one, so please protect it.
    Oh God, we wanted freedom for our people, we did not want slavery to others.
    Oh God, we wanted a homeland for our people to gather them, we did not want to destroy states of others, nor demolish their homes.
    Oh God, our people are stripped of all things, except their belief in their right.
    Oh God, our people are weak except in their faith and in their victory.
    Oh God, grant us conviction, mercy and tolerance in our ranks, and not make us war against ourselves.
    Oh God, turn the blood that was shed into light that will guide us and strengthen our arms, do not let it turn into fuel of hatred and vengeance.
    Oh God, help us over our enemy so that we can help him deal with himself.
    Oh God, this is my prayer to you... my invocation, so listen to it and grant us our supplication and guide us to the right path.

    For more about Gush Shalom you are invited to visit our renewed website:
    http://www.gush-shalom.org/
    -\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-\-/-

     
    Oh God, the chest is replete with bitterness... do not turn that into spite.
    Oh God, the heart is replete with pain... do not turn that into vengeance.
    Oh God, the spirit is replete with fear... do not turn that into hatred.
    Oh God, my body is weak... do not turn my weakness into despair.
    Oh God, I your servant am holding the embers... so help me maintain my steadfastness.
    Oh God, faith is love... Oh God, faith is forgiveness... Oh God, faith is conviction...
    Oh God, do not put of the flame of faith from my chest.
    Oh God, we wanted for the Intifada a white one, so please protect it.
    Oh God, we wanted freedom for our people, we did not want slavery to others.
    Oh God, we wanted a homeland for our people to gather them, we did not want to destroy states of others, nor demolish their homes.
    Oh God, our people are stripped of all things, except their belief in their right.
    Oh God, our people are weak except in their faith and in their victory.
    Oh God, grant us conviction, mercy and tolerance in our ranks, and not make us war against ourselves.
    Oh God, turn the blood that was shed into light that will guide us and strengthen our arms, do not let it turn into fuel of hatred and vengeance.
    Oh God, help us over our enemy so that we can help him deal with himself.
    Oh God, this is my prayer to you... my invocation, so listen to it and grant us our supplication and guide us to the right path.



    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] International delegation denied access to Hebron
    Datum: Sun, 30 Dec 2001 10:20:56 -0500
    Von: "Zahi Damuni" <zdamuni@msn.com>

    From: Rapprochement Centre

    International delegation denied access to Hebron

    At 8-00 this morning The I.D.F. declared the Kefar Etzion settlement check point a closed military zone thus preventing three hundred international peace activists from entering Hebron. The Order the soldiers produced stated that the area was closed from the 29th of Dec until the 9th of January. The delegation waited in the area for three hours but where not allowed to proceed.

    The Group, Consisting of Peace Activists from Italy Belgium France and America including Members of European and Italian parliament, were scheduled to meet with municipality officials of the city of Hebron. After which they would conduct a carnival activity for the children of Hebron who have spent 194 days imprisoned in there homes since October 2000 due to curfew imposed on Palestinians in the Israeli controlled part of the city.

    Luisa Morgantini a member of European Parliament stated: "The Israeli authorities are illegally preventing from contacting any Palestinian officials. We will not cease in our efforts to witness the conditions Palestinians are subject to under Israeli occupation.  Our responsibility as Human beings is to return and continue to support peace and an end to 0ccupation."

    For more information
    Luisa Morgantini 067-271742
    Hewaida Arraf 052-642709
    Ghassan (PCR) 00972 2 2772018 or 052595319
    ===================================================
    Ghassan Andoni
    The Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement between People
    64 Star Street, P.O.Box 24
    Beit Sahour - Palestine
    www.rapprochement.org
    =================================
    The center is a non-profit making NGO, started in 1988 during the first Intifada. PCR runs community service programs, youth empowerment and training programs. PCR is also very much involved in the non-violent resistance against the Israeli Occupation to Palestine.


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Once Again Israeli Terrorist Army Attacks Peaceful Demonstration
    Datum: Fri, 28 Dec 2001 15:53:59 -0500
    Von: "Zahi Damuni" <zdamuni@msn.com>

    From: "Palestine Monitor" <palmon@hdip.org>

    The Palestine Monitor,
    A PNGO Information Clearinghouse

    Press Release

    Once Again Israeli Soldiers Attack Peaceful Demonstration

    27 December, 2001

    Over 350 foreigners from Italy, France, Belgium, Britain and America demonstrated with thousands of Palestinians today in Ramallah. Once again however, the march was met with violence by Israelis when troops in tanks and armoured personnel carriers attacked them with tear gas, sound bombs and rubber bullets.

    The demonstration against the continued military occupation in the Palestinian Territories was addressed by Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, from the GIPP (Grassroots International Protection for Palestinians Campaign), Luisa Morgantini, a member of the European and Italian parliaments, Pierre Galand the president of the European Forum for North-South Solidarity, and Farid Amad from the Inash al Usra, on behalf of Palestinian NGOs.

    The march left the Menara and proceeded peacefully to Irsal Street, an area where the Israeli army remains, imposing a tight military siege.

    Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration and non-violence of the participants, the demonstration was, without warning, attacked. The ensuing attack with tear gas, concussion grenades, and rubber bullets left 25 people injured including ten of the foreign peace activists and two older Palestinian women.

    Today's attack is yet another in the string of non-provoked, violent responses by the Israel military to non-violent, peaceful demonstrations. This behaviour reinforces the fact that Palestinians and foreigners are not permitted to peacefully protest the continuing illegal Israeli occupation.

    For more information, contact Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, 050 254218 the Palestinian Network of NGOs (PNGO) at +9722-296-3847 or pngonet@p-ol.com


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] ISM: The International Solidarity Movement
    Datum: Fri, 28 Dec 2001 15:57:47 -0500
    Von: "Zahi Damuni" <zdamuni@msn.com>

    From: Rapprochement Centre

    As incitment against ISM is growing in the Israeli media with even personal attacks, here we present a breif summury of what is ISM all about.
    Ghassan Andoni

    The International Solidarity Movement

    What is ISM?

    ISM is a coalition between Palestinian NGOs, local Palestinian leaders and activists, internationals who live in Palestine, and Internationals working for peace and Justice. ISM is open for interested individuals and organizations to join.

    Objectives:

    ISM works to establish a massive Palestinian peaceful resistance against the Israeli occupation supported by International grass roots.

    For What:

    ISM works to end the Israeli occupation and for a free Palestine.

    Means:

    ISM organizes campaigns of direct peaceful actions to challenge the Israeli occupation and defy its inhuman procedures against Palestinians.

    Principles:

    ISM is open for all regardless of nationality, religion, and color.
    ISM works under the leadership of Palestinian organizations and activists.
    ISM strictly uses peaceful non-violent means to resist the occupation.

    Focus:

    ISM is set to challenge the occupation inhuman procedure such as the network of military check posts and roadblocks. This network is suffocating Palestinian civilians and depriving them from their basic human and civil rights.

    For more information contact PCR 00972 2 2772018 or Ghassan Andoni 052 595319

    ===================================================
    Ghassan Andoni
    The Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement between People
    64 Star Street, P.O.Box 24
    Beit Sahour - Palestine
    www.rapprochement.org
    =================================
    The center is a non-profit making NGO, started in 1988 during the first Intifada.
    PCR runs community service programs, youth empowerment and training programs. PCR is also very much involved in the non-violent resistance against the Israeli Occupation to Palestine.


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] International and Palestinian peace activists attacked again
    Datum: Thu, 27 Dec 2001 06:46:44 -0800 (PST)
    Von: Huwaida Arraf <huwaidaa@yahoo.com>

    INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
    December 27, 2001
    For Immediate Release
    ***Media Alert***

    International and Palestinian peace activists attacked again

    [Ramallah, Palestine] Over 250 foreign civilians, from England, France, Italy and the United States, joined hundreds of Palestinians in an NGO-organized march against occupation in Ramallah today. Carrying banners denouncing the Israeli occupation of Palestine and calling for peace and justice, the campaigners marched through Ramallah, past the headquarters of President Yasser Arafat towards a neighborhood of Ramallah under tight military siege.
        The procession was met with Israeli tanks, APCs and military jeeps. Israeli soldiers attacked the group with tear gas, concussion grenades and live ammunition fired over the heads of the demonstrators. Twenty-five civilians are reported injured, including 10 European activists.
        Today’s attack is one more in a string of violent responses by the Israeli Occupation Forces to peaceful protests and non-violent resistance to the brutality of Israeli occupation.

    For more information, please contact: Palestinian Network of NGOs (PNGO) at +9722-296-3847 or pngonet@p-ol.com, or Huwaida at +972-52-642-709, huwaidaa@yahoo.com

    END

    http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/nm/
    20011225/wl/imdf25122001160830a.html


    original quality  011226--imdf25122001160830a.jpg

    Israeli soldiers try to stop a European youth during a protest against the closure of the Bethlehem checkpoint December 25, 2001. The Israeli army checkpoint on the outskirts of the town where Jesus was born marked more than just the usual line between Israeli-controlled territory and Palestinian-run Bethlehem on Tuesday.
    REUTERS/Magnus Johansson 

    		 http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20011225/wl/
    1009313712mideast_israel_palestinians_jrl108.html


    original quality 011226--capt.1009313712mideast_israel_palestinians_jrl108.jpg

    A group of Palestinians and foreign peace activists march towards the Gilo checkpoint between the West Bank town of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001. The marchers planned to go to Jerusalem to protest against the Israeli presence in Palestinian territories but were stopped at the checkpoint after the Israeli Defence Force declared the checkpoint a closed military zone. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo) 


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] ISRAELI MILITARY BLOCKS CHRISTMAS PROCESSION
    Datum: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 07:44:13 -0800 (PST)
    Von: Huwaida Arraf <huwaidaa@yahoo.com>

    INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
    December 26, 2001

    ISRAELI MILITARY BLOCKS CHRISTMAS PROCESSION

    [Bethlehem]  Hundreds of Palestinians and international civilians in a Christmas procession from Bethlehem to Jerusalem on 25 December, were denied entry into Jerusalem.
        Palestinians accompanied by internationals marched to freedom songs and holiday hymns in a candlelight procession commemorating Christmas, and protesting the ongoing occupation of Palestine the denial of free access to Jerusalem. Jerusalem Al Quds, the historical spiritual, social and economic center of the west Bank has been off limits to Palestinians since 1991.
        When Israeli soldiers began physically restraining the marchers, the entire procession sat down and continued singing for peace, freedom and justice. The Israeli military then declared the area a closed military zone and evacuated all of the journalists and began threatening independent photographers.
        The group, not interested in violent confrontation, which the Israeli soldiers were threatening on Christmas Day, declared their intention to keep struggling for the freedom of the Palestinian people, stated that they would return and retreated.

    Digital photos available. For more information, contact Huwaida at 052-642-709.
    END


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    Betreff: [AL-AWDA-News] INTERNATIONAL GROUP ATTACKED AT EREZ
    Datum: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 06:40:25 -0800 (PST)
    Von: Huwaida Arraf <huwaidaa@yahoo.com>

    Grassroots International Protection for Palestinians (GIPP)
    INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
    December 26, 2001
    For Immediate Release

    INTERNATIONAL GROUP ATTACKED AT EREZ

    [Erez] Ninety foreign civilians traveling on a solidarity visit to Gaza were blocked entry by the Israeli military at Erez today, after being processed and given initial permission to enter. The international group was comprised of American, Belgian, British, and French citizens.
        Protesting the Israeli Army decision not to let the group enter Gaza, where they were scheduled to tour Gaza City, Khan Younis and Rafah, including the refugee camps, and meet with Dr. Haidar Abdel Shafi, Director of the Red Crescent, one half of the group decided to walk through Erez.
        With hands up in the air the group proceeded to walk, but were met with a violent Israeli response. Soldiers began firing shots and then descended upon the group, punching the men and body-slamming the women. The internationals sat down to try to avoid injury, but to no avail. All of the personal cameras in the group were confiscated and a number of cameras were broken. Israeli soldiers also verbally threatened to shoot and kill all of the foreign civilians. Members of the group were then dragged and forcefully thrown onto their tour bus. Two French civilians were detained.
        “We were going to Gaza to support the Palestinian people, and to conduct a fact-finding mission so as to present more objective information to the media and to our fellow patriots at home. We were also carrying with us humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza. Expressing our right to freedom of movement, not just for ourselves, but also for the Palestinians who are kept caged in Gaza, we decided to cross the checkpoint in order to complete our visit. All of a sudden, shots were fired directly over our heads and we were descended upon by soldiers, who were punching, pushing and throwing us to the ground. We sat down to avoid their blows, but they kept hitting, kicking and pushing. When the soldiers noticed that we were filming the attack, they took and broke our cameras and confiscated our film. Finally, they started dragging us, one by one, and threw us on the bus, where we were kept under guard by Border Police. Many of us sustained injuries, including cuts and bruises, and at least three people require medical attention.” (Statement by the international group)
        The entire group will lodge formal complaints through their respective embassies.

    For more information, please contact Huwaida at 052-642-709 or Samir 055-385-257.
    END

    http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20011225/wl/
    1009313255mideast_israel_palestinians_jrl110.html


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    An Israeli border police officer pushes a woman back, who's part of a group of  foreign peace activists and Palestinians, who marched to the Gilo checkpoint between the West Bank town of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Tuesday Dec. 25, 2001. The marchers planned to go to Jerusalem to protest against the Israeli presence in Palestinian territories but were stopped at the checkpoint after the Israeli Defence Force declared the checkpoint a closed military zone. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo) 

    		 http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20011225/wl/
    1009313476mideast_israel_palestinians_jrl111.html


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    Israeli Border Police push back a group of foreign peace activists and Palestinians at the Gilo checkpoint between the West Bank town of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Tuesday Dec. 25, 2001. The marchers planned to go to Jerusalem to protest against the Israeli presence in Palestinian territories but were stopped at the checkpoint after the Israeli Defence Force declared the checkpoint a closed military zone. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)


    Betreff: [AL-AWDA-News] Israeli Terrorist Army Attacks Foreign Peace Activists
    Datum: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 09:14:24 -0500
    Von: "Zahi Damuni" <zdamuni@msn.com>

    From: "Patricia Smith" <patricia@hdip.org>
    The Palestine Monitor, A PNGO Information Clearinghouse
    INFORMATION UPDATE

    Israeli Army Attacks Foreign Peace Activists

    26 December, 2001

    [Erez, Gaza] Israeli soldiers have physically attacked a delegation of 90 foreign peace activists trying to enter the Gaza Strip. The civilians from Europe and the United States were trying to enter Gaza where they were scheduled to conduct solidarity visits. After being detained for more than four hours, they decided to try to enter and were fired upon with tear gas. In an act of intimidation, Israeli soldiers also fired into the air.
        The peace delegates refused to leave, instead they began a non-violent and peaceful form of protest - they sat down. The Israeli army then proceeded to physically attack them and forced them onto their buses.
        The army also detained, for several hours, the Palestinian delegation which was waiting to meet them.
        The reason that was given by one Israeli officer for refusing them permission to enter is that the Israeli army may be planning to bomb Gaza.
        Many of these delegates are in Palestine as part of the peaceful and non-violent movement 'Grassroots International Protection for Palestinian's' (GIPP), and their detention and the physical attacks on them, are dangerous and reprehensible.
        The Palestinian NGOs, civil society organizations and GIPP condemn the Israeli act which is an additional violation of human rights and the cause of peace.

    For more information contact Mustafa Barghouthi on 050 254 218


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Media Alert: Internationals blocked entry into Gaza....Will walk through
    Datum: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 06:04:58 -0500
    Von: "Zahi Damuni" <zdamuni@msn.com>

    From: Huwaida Arraf
    INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
    December 26, 2001
    For Immediate Release
    ***Media Alert***

    Ninety foreign civilians denied entry into Gaza

    Will defy Israeli Army orders and walk through

    [Erez, Gaza] Ninety foreign civilians, from Belgium, England, France, Italy and the United States are being denied entry into Gaza, where they are scheduled to conduct solidarity visits in Gaza City, Rafah and Khan Younis, including refugee camps. As of 12:00 noon time, the internationals have been held up for over two hours at Erez.
        The group is planning to defy Israeli military orders and walk through Erez if the army continues to deny them entry.

    For more information, call Huwaida at 052


    Betreff:  [AL-AWDA-News] Bethlehem, Christmas 2001-shirabe_report
    Datum: Wed, 26 Dec 2001 22:17:30 -0500
    Von: "Rima Anabtawi" <guava@vgernet.net>

    December 26, 2001
    Dheisheh Refugee Camp

    Dear Friends,

    Christmas came and went in Bethlehem, without elaborate festivities. Streets were deserted, and most shops kept their shutters down. Images on TV of joyous celebrations from around the world were the furthest away realities from the very city that Jesus was born.
        Within the city of Bethlehem, a mere 2-minute drive from the Church of Nativity, is an impoverished neighborhood of Beit Jibrin, the smallest of the 59 Palestinian refugee camps in the Middle East. The 2,000 inhabitants of the camp were struggling to survive the destruction caused by the 10-day Israeli invasion of the city in late October. Day and night, shells and bullets had rained down on this small strip of land packed with fragile concrete houses and narrow alleys.
        On the day of Christmas Eve, I went to visit Al-Azzah family in Beit Jibrin. I had worked with their sons who run Wa'ad (Promise) Center, a small grassroots organization to serve the camp's children. I had been treated numerous times with homemade meals of Umm Yunis, mother of the family, in their modest yet comfortably arranged home. I had heard their home had caught on fire from shelling during the invasion.
        Walking into the camp, I passed a house with an entire wall collapsed, exposing its interior like a doll house. An Israeli tank that forced its way onto the narrow alley had knocked it over. Althought the rebuilding by the Palestinian Authority was in process, almost all structures - walls, fenses, rooftop watertanks - bore marks from bullets and shells. Umm Yunis opened the door to my knock, slowly welcomed me in their son's living quarter on the first floor. The vibrant smile of a woman who had never missed a beat for her sharp remarks was not there. Her eyes didn't sparkle like they used to. Escaping the bullets and shelling that frequented their living quarter on the second floor, Umm Yunis and her husband Abu Yunis had been living downstairs for the past several months. Now, she told me, they had nowhere to return upstairs.
        Umm Yunis took my hand and led me up the staircase. Stepping into their house, I held my breath. Their living room was covered entirely with soot, glasses had fallen off burned window frames, charred remains of furniture scaterred around, and every wall had mercilessly been punctured with bullets and shells. Moving her tired body slowly from corner to corner, holding my hand, she reminded me of color and smell of what had been there before - Umm Yunis's life since she was expelled from her village of Beit Jibrin (now an Israeli kibbutz and natural park of Beit Guvrin) in 1948. "Right here there were framed family photos. Many of my tatriz (Palestinian embroidery) works were hung here. Now it's gone. Gone. Everything." At the center of room was a pile of salvaged goods - plates, books, some clothes - mostly broken, and all covered in soots.
        From room to room, Umm Yunis took me through. The bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms - not a single space had been spared the destruction. Workers were plastering over numerous shell holes. I stood in front of a closet riddled with bullets. The clothes still hang inside, but all torn. Umm Yunis rubbed each piece gently - "This is Abu Yunis' new jacket, he only wear it once. This shirt was for my son 'Ala." She points out of the window, to half-destroyed Paradise Hotel that towered over the camp from across the street - "It all came from there." What used to be one of the most luxurious hotels in Bethlehem was taken over by Israel army as soon as they entered the city, using it as the base for military offensive.
        During the invasions, Umm Yunis' sons, daughters, and grandchildren took refuge to a relatively safer neighboring village. Umm Yunis and her husband insisted that they stayed. "We left in 1948, and in 1967. We will never leave to be made refugees again." Yet the downstairs quarter was not safe either, as numerous holes on the walls the cracked windows testified. Once a bullet zapped by Umm Yunis as she was preparing a meal for Abu Yunis, landed on a coffee pot that hang on the wall. She fell on floor, crawled for life to the back room. For an entire week that Israelis disconnected phone and electricity, in the sound of falling shell that vibrated the entire camp around the clock, Umm Yunis and Abu Yunis lived only with water, crawling from room to room.
        "Something changed forever inside the people of the camp after the invasion," Azzah, Umm Yunis' son told me later as we sat in Wa'ad Center, crowded with children playing games. "Three people in our camp were killed in those 10 days, while so many more were injured. But more than anything, the children will never forget the moment when the tank entered the camp - the moment that their space was forever violated and their sense of security was collapsed. So many of them now suffer from symptoms like bedwetting and nightmares."
        Yet Azzah smiles that recent donations from overseas would enable the expansion of the center, overflowing with children who lack space for enjoyment elsewhere in the camp. "We will start building a second floor as soon as possible." I think of Rachel's Tomb, an Israeli military camp right outside of the camp. The presense of Israeli occupation makes another military incursion a realistic and imminent threat. What if the new second floor gets shelled?
        But it will not stop the Palestinian from living their lives. Life has to go on. It is like Umm Yunis' laundry I walked by on my way out of their home. On the clothline hang her thoub, an embroidered traditional Palestinian dress commonly worn by older women. "It had to be rinsed over and over, because it was so blackend by soot," she touched the still-wet thoub, torn all over with bullet holes. I know she will mend it, and wear it again proudly.

    shirabe


    http://www.palestinemonitor.org/updates/demo_attacked.htm

    -642-709, Neta at 052-481-261, or Georgie at 055-840-767.
    END
    Israeli Soldiers Attack Peaceful Demonstration
    24 December, 2001

    A peaceful demonstration, in which thousands of Palestinians and around 100 foreigners participated, was met with violence by Israelis when troops in tanks and armoured personnel carriers attacked them with tear gas and rubber bullets.
        The demonstration organized by the Palestinian NGO network – PNGO, was held in conjunction with the Grassroots International Protection for Palestinian (GIPP), a programme whereby individuals from overseas visit Palestine to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, to learn more about the situation here, and to also fulfill the role of international observers.
        The march left the Menara and proceeded peacefully to Irsal Street, to where the Israeli army has moved, refusing to withdraw.
        The soldiers opened fire on the peaceful civilian demonstration, using tear gas and rubber bullets. Dozens of people required medical treatment, at least three of the foreign delegation and numerous Palestinians.
        Matthew, a 35-year-old French participant, was completely mystified by the Israeli soldiers behaviour, “I don’t understand what these soldiers are doing, and I certainly do not know why they are attacking a peaceful civilian demonstration in this way”. Others were also horrified, but assured Palestinians that upon their return home, they would tell everyone what they has seen here, and remain working with the Palestinians until they had a just and independent state.

    For more information, contact The Palestine Monitor 02 2985372, or see www.palestinemonitor.org


    http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/ap/20011225/wl/1009312578mideast_israel_palestinians_jrl109.html

    A group of Palestinians and foreign peace activists march towards the Gilo checkpoint between the West Bank town of Bethlehem and Jerusalem on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001. The marchers planned to go to Jerusalem to protest against the Israeli presence in Palestinian territories but were stopped at the checkpoint after the Israeli Defence Force declared the checkpoint a closed military zone. (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo)


    http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A23666-2001Dec25?language=printer

    Christmas in Bethlehem Lacks Cheer

    By Jason Keyser
    Associated Press Writer
    Tuesday, December 25, 2001; 10:05 AM

    BETHLEHEM, West Bank –– Despite brilliantly sunny skies, there was little cheer on Christmas Day in the town where Jesus was born. Tourists stayed away, frightened by more than a year of violence, and Israel prevented Yasser Arafat from making his annual pilgrimage.
        Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah conducted morning Mass in Bethlehem, and about 300 people gathered for an afternoon procession through nearby Shepherds' Field in the mostly Christian town of Beit Sahour, where biblical tradition says the herders watching their sheep were awestruck by news of the Christ Child's birth.
        The group, which included local residents as well as priests from abroad wearing flowing brown robes with white belts, held prayers in a nearby church. The annual longer procession, from Manger Square about 2 miles away, was scrapped for lack of participants.
        "The situation is what it is," said Father Aurelio Mulestagno, who is from Malta and studies in a nearby monastery.
        With pilgrims and tourists almost entirely absent this year, there were few Christmas decorations and Manger Square reverted by midmorning to a parking lot as local residents, many of them Muslims, milled about, conducting business as usual.
        "In spite of the tanks, the closure and the bombardment that your town Bethlehem has faced, I say to you all merry Christmas and wish you a happy new year," Sabbah told congregants at the morning Mass, referring to Israeli military actions during the 15 months of violence.
        Sabbah also asked Christians to remain in Bethlehem, which many have left in recent years. "Protect your Palestinian Christian identity and ... stay in this holy town which witnessed the birth of Jesus Christ," he said.
        George Jacman, a 34-year-old father of four who lives in Bethlehem, said, "I don't feel the joy of Christmas this year, but I'm trying my best for my children to enjoy it."
        On Christmas Eve, a few thousand people gathered in Manger Square, most of them local Palestinians. Posters of Arafat and Palestinian flags outnumbered Christmas decorations in front of the fortress-like 4th century Church of the Nativity, marking the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
        Politics overwhelmed the celebration. A high point of the evening was a speech by Arafat, who is marooned in the town of Ramallah, 12 miles to the north. Palestinians in Manger Square watching the speech on TV applauded after Arafat blasted the Israelis.
        Riding a wave of international criticism of Israel's decision, Arafat complained, "The Israeli tanks, the barriers and the rifles of the oppressors have prevented me from sharing with you our annual celebration on this divine and blessed occasion."
        He said Israel has laid siege not only to Bethlehem, but also to the Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem. "There will never be any security for any worshipper in the shadow of a tank," Arafat said.
        An empty chair in the front row, a black and white checkered keffiyeh headdress draped across it, symbolized Arafat's absence during the Midnight Mass at St. Catherine's Church next to the Church of the Nativity. In front of the chair was a lectern, padded with gold upholstery, and a sign with Arafat's name.
        Another empty chair was reserved for Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser, who boycotted the service because Arafat was banned.
        Some congregants fell to their knees during the service. An elderly nun sat to one side of the church, her head bowed, hands folded in prayer. The warmly dressed crowd of about 700 people finished the service with a rendition of the carol "Silent Night."
        "You see the scars of the fighting here ... walking through the city you appreciate the situation these people live in," said Thomas Gilbert, 30, a Belgian who made the two-hour pilgrimage from Jerusalem to Bethlehem by foot.
        Arafat has been stuck in Ramallah since Dec. 3, when Israel destroyed his helicopters and tightened a choke hold on Palestinian towns after Palestinian suicide attacks in Jerusalem and Haifa killed 26 people, including three bombers.
        Last week Arafat called for an end to the violence in a televised speech, and seven Palestinians were killed in clashes between the Palestinian police and supporters of Islamic militant groups.
        But Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government has maintained that Arafat has done far from enough, and on Monday banned him from traveling overland to Bethlehem, insisting he must first arrest the assassins of an Israeli Cabinet minister who was gunned down in October.
        It was the first time Arafat, a Muslim, has missed the Midnight Mass since 1995, when Israel turned the town over to Palestinian control a few days before Christmas under interim peace accords.
        The decision was criticized by the Vatican, the European Union, the French government, six Christian denominations in the Holy Land, several Israeli Cabinet ministers and even Israeli President Moshe Katsav – a member of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's own hard-line Likud Party.
        Ellen McCloskey, 69, from Pittsburgh, said she traveled to the birthplace of Jesus because "this is where it happened. He's the truth, and, my goodness, if we ever needed truth, it's today." She was one of the only foreigners to brave the trip to Bethlehem this year.
        In quieter times, thousands of pilgrims and tourists thronged the square, once the town's central parking lot, filling souvenir shops and restaurants, listening to choirs from around the world and watching the Midnight Mass on a closed-circuit TV screen.
        Spending millions of dollars raised for the cause, Bethlehem remodeled Manger Square in time for the millennium celebration, expecting millions of tourists during the 2000th year after the birth of Jesus.
        But the Palestinian uprising broke out in September 2000, and the dream of tourism and prosperity was dashed as pilgrims stayed away, hesitating to run the gamut of Israeli roadblocks and Palestinian riots.
        Now, souvenir shops in prime locations, like Tony Michael's at a corner of Manger Square right next to the Church of the Nativity, are empty.
        "No business, no people," he said sadly. "It's very bad in Bethlehem."

    © 2001 The Associated Press


    http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/p/nm/20011225/ts/mdf104823.html

    The chair of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat is decorated with an Arab head dress, as it sits empty during midnight mass in St. Catherine's Cathedral, adjoining the Church of the Nativity, believed to be the site of Jesus's birth in the West Bank town of Bethlehem on December 24, 2001. Israel's security cabinet barred Arafat's journey through Israeli-controlled territory in the West Bank, because he was not acting "to dismantle Palestinian terror organizations." (Natalie Behring/Reuters)


    http://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/25/international/middleeast/25MIDE.html

    December 25, 2001
    INTERNATIONAL

    Christmas Eve in Bethlehem: Santas, Songs but No Arafat

    By JAMES BENNET

    BETHLEHEM, West Bank, Dec. 24 — The bagpipes played "Auld Lange Syne" today in Manger Square as balloons of Santa Claus and the cartoon character Pikachu floated with the smell of falafel over a festive Christmas Eve procession of priests in white gowns and scouts in brown uniforms.
        All that was missing, the participants said, was Yasir Arafat.
        Inventive as ever in their antagonism, Israelis and Palestinians found cause for conflict in Christmas. Israel barred Mr. Arafat from attending religious observances here, and Palestinian gunmen critically wounded an Israeli motorist in what their group described as retaliation.
        Over the pleas of the Bush administration, the Israeli government stuck to its position that Mr. Arafat could come here only if he arrested the killers of Rehavam Zeevi, the tourism minister slain by gunmen on Oct. 17.
        That too, the Palestinians responsible said, was in retaliation for the killing of a leader of their group.
        Alive to possible trickery by Mr. Arafat, the head of the Palestinian Authority, Israeli soldiers examined cars in the motorcade of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbah, when he returned after a visit to Mr. Arafat in Ramallah this morning. Mr. Arafat was not found, but the patriarch himself was reported to have refused to open his trunk.
        Franciscan friars said they had been surprised when an armed Israeli soldier boarded their bus on its way here. Mr. Arafat was not there either.
        Regarding the patriarch, the Israeli Army said that "a check was done in accordance with orders, in a respectful manner." Regarding the monks, the army noted that it routinely checks vehicles coming into Bethlehem to be sure all is in order.
        Mr. Arafat is a Muslim, but he has attended midnight Mass here each year since 1995, when by treaty control of Bethlehem was turned over to the Palestinian Authority.
        Spun in some cases by Palestinian officials, rumors swirled that Mr. Arafat would make a theatrical attempt to push through Israeli military lines. Despite his absence, twin rituals proceeded here: celebrators gathered for Christmas in battered Bethlehem, and journalists gathered to report on how forlorn Christmas is in battered Bethlehem.
        "No questions — we are fed up with talking," said Michael Qomsiya, who sells olive wood ornaments and Virgin Mary statuettes in the King David store off Manger Square. "BBC, Reuters, CNN — no one buys."
        The Israeli who was critically injured this afternoon while driving in the West Bank was attacked by gunmen from a group affiliated with Mr. Arafat's Fatah faction. The group, Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade, said it was acting in retaliation for Israel's ban on Mr. Arafat's visit to Bethlehem. It said one of its men had died in an exchange of fire in the attack.
        As of this morning, after a period of relative calm, 12 days had passed since an Israeli had been killed in a Palestinian attack, and four days since a Palestinian had been killed in an Israeli military strike.
        Mr. Arafat spent the day in Ramallah, a short drive through Jerusalem to the north of here. To reach Bethlehem he would have had to cross Israeli checkpoints, which were given special instructions in case he decided to make a break for it.
        The Vatican today criticized the decision to block Mr. Arafat as "arbitrarily imposed" and said it was seeking to reverse the ban "in order to try to create a more conciliatory climate in the area."
        The decision divided the Israeli cabinet and prompted an unusual prepared statement from Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer. He acknowledged opposing the decision but denied news reports that he had called it "awful and idiotic."
        President Moshe Katsav, whose role is largely symbolic, also dissented from the government's decision.
        Having said that Mr. Arafat made himself "irrelevant," the Israeli government has been seeking militarily and diplomatically to isolate him. With the backing of the Bush administration, it is pressing Mr. Arafat to arrest militant Palestinians and to crush their organizations.
        But the Israeli government confirmed today that despite severing diplomatic contacts with Mr. Arafat on Dec. 13, it had been secretly talking peace with his representatives.
        Foreign Minister Shimon Peres has been meeting secretly with Ahmed Qurei, also known as Abu Ala, the speaker of the Palestinian legislative council. They were reported to have drawn up a letter of understanding under which Israel would recognize a Palestinian state in 42 percent of the West Bank and most of the Gaza Strip.
        It would supposedly take that step within eight weeks of signing an interim agreement that would include a cease-fire, a Palestinian crackdown on terrorist groups, a freeze on Israeli settlement activity and a lifting of the Israeli blockade on Palestinian towns and villages.
        Palestinian officials said they had no interest in signing such an agreement.
        On Sunday the office of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called reports of the plan "groundless and imaginary," but today it acknowledged that "the foreign minister's talks are taking place with the prime minister's knowledge."
        It described the talks as an effort to end violence and incitement "to allow progress to be made in the diplomatic process after the cessation of terror." Mr. Sharon has repeatedly said he forbids negotiations while violence continues.
        For a few years between Palestinian uprisings, Christmas was a jubilant affair here as tourists packed shops like the King David and jammed services in the fourth-century Church of the Nativity. The church is revered by Christians as marking the spot, with a silver star set in the basement floor, where Jesus was born.
        Two years ago, Mr. Qomsiya, the merchant, might have made $500 in a day, he said, rolling his eyes as yet another journalist pressed him about how bad things were now. Today, after 15 months of conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, he made about $10, he said.
        Perhaps the most poignant element of today's procession through Manger Square was the leftover millennial posters of Mr. Arafat carried by many. They declared: "2000 — the year of the Palestinian state."
        Bethlehem still bears scars left by a 10-day Israeli invasion in October after the assassination of Mr. Zeevi.
        "Paradise is dead, as you know," said Abu Eita, the Palestinian tourism minister, referring to the Paradise Hotel, which is owned by his brother. Israeli soldiers occupied the hotel during the raid, and its sides are still scorched black by Palestinian firebombs. Mr. Abu Eita said it would cost $2.5 million to repair.
        Mayor Hanna Nasser said the city had lost about $30 million in tourist dollars in the last year. The Israeli raid, he said, resulted in another $10 million or $12 million in damages.
        He ridiculed Israeli claims to have relaxed the Bethlehem checkpoint during the holy days. Most Palestinians still could not get in, he said.
        One priest of the Latin Patriarchate, the Rev. Imad Allahmaht, 24, found a holy parallel in Bethlehem's straitened, embattled state: "We live exactly as Jesus lived — the poverty, the misunderstanding, all these things."

    Copyright 2001 The New York Times Company


    http://news.24.com/News24/World/Middle_East/0,1113,2-10-35_1124153,00.html

    Gaza priest cancels Christmas

    Gaza City - Gaza City priest Father Manoel Musallam said on Sunday he was cancelling Christmas festivities in his Latin church owing to the "sad situation" in the occupied territories and in solidarity with the Muslim majority.
        He said the traditional midnight mass on Christmas Eve would be held in the afternoon and without musical accompaniment.
        "We have decided to cancel any demonstration of joy or sign of festivity, out of respect for the sad feelings of those around us," he said at a Sunday service at Gaza's Latin Church.
        "Holding a mass in the afternoon rather than at midnight tells people: 'Pray and go home, because there is neither peace nor stability and there is no joy in the streets and Bethlehem is off limits to President Yasser Arafat," he said.
        "No joyous sound or note of music will be heard in Gaza church this year," he said.
        Gaza's church, with a small regular congregation of just 200 faithful, traditionally puts up a large Christmas tree on the square of the unknown soldier in central Gaza while the church bells peel.

    'Arrogance of the Israelis'

    In his sermon on Sunday, Father Emmanuel denounced in front of his flock the "arrogance of the Israelis, which allows them to forbid Arafat to visit Bethlehem," and hailed his determination to go there on foot if necessary.
        "The world, the pope and the Americans must understand us, what more can the Israelis do than stop us from praying?" he asked.
        He asked if the Israeli "will tell us to prostate ourselves and pray before Sharon".
        The Gaza Strip has a Muslim majority thought to number 1.1 million people. The Christian minority counts some 3 240 people, of whom 3 000 are Greek Orthodox, 200 Roman Catholics and 40 Protestants, church sources say.
        Palestinian leader Arafat was banned by Israel from his traditional attendance at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity Christmas mass, after the Jewish state accused him of not doing enough to crack down of extremist groups. - Sapa-AFP


    http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/article/0,,9004-2001593515,00.html

    SUNDAY DECEMBER 23 2001

    Bethlehem's star wanes under siege

    UZI MAHNAIMI, BETHLEHEM, AND COLIN SMITH

    FOR Salim Assi, 32, one of Bethlehem’s dwindling number of Palestinian Christians, Christmas has never been so miserable. Until 15 months ago, he earned a good living as a taxi driver in Israel.  But when the army responded to the outbreak of the intifada, or Palestinian uprising, by closing the borders around the occupied territories, Assi was unable to get to work and his Israeli employers sacked him. He has since tried to earn enough in Bethlehem to feed his wife Manal and 15- month-old baby Helen, but it is all but impossible: in November 1999, 110,000 people visited this impoverished little town in the West Bank. Last month, it was 700.
        Last week Assi sent his family to Israel, where Manal comes from. They were taken out of Bethlehem by his brothers-in-law, who, as Israeli citizens, were allowed into the town.
        “When Helen was taken to hospital in Israel recently, the Israelis didn’t even allow me to visit her,” said Assi. “Now she’s well, thank God, but I can’t feed her. After 15 months of intifada and unemployment, I’ve no more hope.”
        Increasingly this Christmas Bethlehem is taking on the air of the world’s largest open-air prison. The 28,000 inhabitants cannot leave because of the Israeli siege — nor can Palestinian relatives from outside join them there. All entrances have been blocked by paratroopers to prevent suicide bombers from getting into Israel.
        Adding to the gloom, the Israeli government announced last night that it was barring Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader, from attending tomorrow night’s Christmas Eve celebrations because of his failure to clamp down on terror attacks against Israel.
        Arafat, a Muslim, has had a front-row seat for midnight mass in St Catherine’s Church in Bethlehem, next to the Church of the Nativity, every year since 1995, when Bethlehem was turned over to Palestinian control as part of the interim peace accords with Israel.
        Arafat vowed earlier to travel to the service from the West Bank city of Ramallah, where he is being held a virtual prisoner by the Israelis, with or without their approval. “I will go, even walking,” he declared.
        The future of Bethlehem had looked rosy just two years ago, in the countdown to the millennium celebrations, when £100m of foreign aid was funnelled into the Palestinian Authority’s project to revitalise the town. Some of the money allegedly disappeared in corruption, but better roads and two new luxury hotels appeared virtually overnight and a stone-flagged pedestrian precinct was laid down in Manger Square.
        This year’s unrelenting violence has piled horror upon horror in the Holy Land. Many of the work done on Bethlehem was destroyed in October, when Israeli troops stormed into the town to root out Hamas gunmen, killing 22 people and injuring 150.
        “I have spent my life here and it’s the worst Christmas I’ve ever known,” said Hanna Nasser, 65, the mayor, another of the shrinking minority of Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem. “Unemployment has never been so high. Two years ago it was 10%. Last Christmas it was 30%. Now it could be as high as 70%.”
        In the run-up to the holiday season, many of the shops have been closed; most locals avoid going out if they can.
        The living conditions of ordinary Palestinians continue to deteriorate. Terje Roed-Larsen, the United Nations’s Middle East envoy, estimates that 46% of Palestinians are living in poverty on about £1 a day.
        “Conditions have never been so bad since Israel took control in the 1967 six-day war,” he said at a press conference at which he urged Israel to release £300m of taxes owed to the Palestinian Authority.
        After weeks of bad news, there had been some cause for optimism in recent days. Following an appeal last weekend by Arafat, Hamas announced on Friday that it was suspending suicide bombings and mortar attacks within Israel until further notice.
        But the Israeli government dismissed this is a “tactical move” designed to avert a Palestinian police crackdown, while another militant group, Islamic Jihad, appeared to be wavering over whether to follow Hamas’s example. Last night, Palestinian authorities arrested Shadi Mohanna, the leader of the group’s armed wing for the northern Gaza Strip.
        Meanwhile, Assi is preparing for Christmas with his mother. Two years ago, the family dined on stuffed pig and enjoyed wine and whisky. This year they are getting chicken and rice from the church.
        “I’ve no more hope,” he said. “If I’d known that the intifada was going to happen, I would not have married. Now I can’t look into my wife and daughter’s eyes. Thank God they are not going to be here with me.”

    Copyright 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd.


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