Jerusalem churches urge Bush to restrain Israel
Reuters, April 2, 2002
Jerusalem churches urge Bush to restrain Israel
JERUSALEM, April 2 — The heads of churches in Jerusalem urged U.S. President
George W. Bush and other world leaders on Tuesday to stop Israel's military
drive in the West Bank.
''We appeal to you to stop immediately the inhuman tragedy
that is taking place in this Holy Land, in our Palestinian towns and villages,''
the Christian clerics said.
Israel says its military campaign is designed to wipe
out a ''terrorist infrastructure'' that has inflicted suicide bombings
on Israel for months. It denies seeking to physically harm Palestinian
President Yasser Arafat.
Palestinians say Israel's occupation of several West Bank
cities, towns and villages is intended to dismantle the Palestinian Authority
and eventually oust or kill Arafat.
In Bethlehem, Palestinians fought on Tuesday to keep Israeli
troops out of Manger Square and witnesses reported fierce clashes near
the Church of the Nativity, build over the spot where Christians believe
Jesus was born. The army denied the report.
The letter accused Israel of inflicting ''wanton indiscriminate
killings'' and said many people were deprived of water, electricity, food
supplies and basic medical needs.
''Many of our religious institutions have been invaded
and damaged,'' the letter said. ''We call upon your Christian conscience
because we know you are the only one who can stop this tragedy immediately.''
Israel launched its military operation, dubbed ''Defensive
Wall,'' on Friday after the latest in a wave of Palestinian suicide attacks.
The death toll from the blast rose on Tuesday to 25 in addition to the
bomber.
Copyright 2002 Reuters Limited.
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