News

Letter from Bethlehem

Toine van Teeffelen Bethlehem, Palestine 10 May 2002

Since a week the recurrent hope that the siege of the Church of Nativity and the curfew would be lifted, is dashed each time, but on Friday a real end comes to the almost six-week long affair. 

All in a Day's Work

Catherine Cook Ramallah, Palestine 12 May 2002

Today was an exciting day. My colleague from work made it into the office from his home in Dheishe refugee camp. The atmosphere in the office was one of celebration, rightly so. 

Bethlehem after the siege

Susan Brannon Bethlehem, Palestine 11 May 2002

Today, I went into Bethlehem; I interviewed the Parish Priest, Amjad Sabbara, who was inside the Church compound for 40 days. I think to myself, why 40 days? What an interesting number: Jesus fasted for 40 days, the Israelis wondered through the wilderness for 40 years. Didn’t something else happen for 40 days? I wonder. 

'It was a set up'

Arjan El Fassed Nablus, Palestine 7 May 2002

‘It is a shame’, says Ahmad. ‘It is a set up. This is so obvious. Look at what happened in Beitunia, Ramallah, Nablus and now the deal on the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. Imagine, as the Israeli public openly speaks about transfer, the Palestinian Authority is approving a deal to deport Palestinians. 

With neighbors like these

Jennifer Loewenstein Rafah, Palestine 1 May 2002

“They raise their children to hate.” That’s what we’re told about the Palestinians. Watch the TV news. Listen to the radio. Pick up the dramatic US news magazines. Ask the intellectuals and the political pundits. 

Blood and sand in Gaza: Impunity and the murders of children

Jennifer Loewenstein Rafah/Khan Younis, Palestine 5 May 2002

There is a halo of blood on the ground where Huda died while sleeping last Tuesday night (4/30/02). Toddler-sized diapers lie strewn on the ground among the concrete heaps where the bedroom wall once stood, and a single blue sandal, tiny as my fist, sits perched in a corner of the room on a wooden slab. Huda was 11 months old.