WHEN will we stop these GANG WARS in our city streets? [-Bob F.]
from Lorin Peters, Bay Area CPTer just returned from Palestine.
via Esther Ho, another local CPTer -- meaning people who get trained to be nonviolent observers and peacemakers, if possible, in the decades-old conflict between the Israeli soldiers and the Palestinian Arabs they treat like dirt too often, as part of their illegal occupation of Palestian territory -- formerly occupied by the British Empire, but given after World War II to Arabs to create a Palestinian state back in 1948 by the UN, at the same time that Israel was given the adjoining land to form their new nation. That land was attacked by neighboring Arab nations several times, giving the Israeli soldiers the chance to occupy the land right next to Israel. Palestinians are still waiting after 4o years for the Israeli soldiers to stop occupying their land, and go home, so they can create their Palestine nation; like the Iraqi are waiting with equal impatience after only 3 years for US soldiers to stop occupying their land and go home.
[CPT stands for Christian Peacemaker Teams, created jointly by Mennonites, Church of the Brethren, and Quakers -- three historic peace churches, who accept volunteers from other groups also. For more info about CPT, email lorinpeters@yahoo.com or estherho@worldnet.att.net or go to the CPT website: www.cpt.org/subscribe.php to get email directly yourself. And take a look at the other recent news item here about a Mayor of a Palestine town arrested and held for over two weeks on suspicion of being involved in something subversive, and treated very badly, "like at Abu Graib prison" in Iraq.]
Sent: Wednesday, September 13, 2006 5:16 PM
Subject: Yesterday's confrontation in Manger Square, Bethlehem, group 2
Dear Friends
I spent four weeks working with Ashraf Shaheen in Bethlehem this summer. Ashraf is the founder and moving spirit of the Palestinian Friendship Association. He and I worked together at his center, about 100 meters west of Manger Square.
I just received the message below from Ashraf describing what happened yesterday in Manger Square.
Peace and all blessings
Lorin
Ashraf Shaheen
Date: Wed, 13 Sep 2006 10:08:36 +0100 (BST)
From: Ashraf Shaheen
Subject: PFA - Bethlehem 12.09.2006
To: Lorin Peters
What Happened close to our Center yesterday??? 5 hours without moving from our office because of:
Israeli troops and military vehicles stormed the centre of the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Tuesday afternoon.
In Manger Square, in front of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition, sound bombs, tear gas and rubber bullets at children and youths throwing stones and empty bottles. Over twenty Israeli jeeps and armoured vehicles took up position in the centre of Bethlehem.
A 14-year old boy called Mohammed Omar Shawariya was killed in the clashes and a 25-year old female bystander called Najah Theeb Boujah was injured. She is being treated at the Hussein Hospital in Beit Jala. Seven others were injured.
The boy's funeral is taking place on Wednesday morning.
Palestinian security sources reported that dozens of Israeli military vehicles entered the city from the north and west and besieged a number of houses in the Ma'ali Valley and Al Ain neighbourhoods.
The Israeli army announced around 7pm that they had arrested Ali Salahat, who they claim to be a 'wanted' Fatah faction leader.
Clashes were ongoing several hours later, including fierce confrontations between Palestinian gunmen and the Israeli soldiers. Palestinian youths began throwing Molotov cocktails at the Israeli soldiers as Israeli troops fired at the Church of Nativity, the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
It was reported around 7pm that Israeli bulldozers had arrived to demolish the house of the 'wanted' Palestinian.
The Israeli troops withdrew around 8pm, some five hours after the incursion began.
Regards
Ashraf Shaheen
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