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Appeal From Bethlehem
24-Nov-03
As the Israeli government insists on the execution of its expansionist project at Rachel's Tomb area in Bethlehem, I find myself compelled to convey to you my grave concern over this serious threat that overshadows the town of the Nativity and its future.
Following the Israeli military order No. 03/14/T of 9th February 2003 to seize properties of the Bethlehemites at Rachel's Tomb area, the Israeli forces distributed two days ago a modified but a more detrimental order specifying 44 parcels of lands to be taken in possession under the pretext of military purposes.
A map was attached (SEE MAP) to the order showing a shift to the route of the concrete wall the Israeli government previously intended to construct in the middle of the main road at the entrance of Bethlehem. The new route however, appeared to be more catastrophic as it encircles more Palestinian land to the west and south of the road and traps around 20 families inside a ghetto. The threat is concealed in isolating the whole northern part of Bethlehem that is inhabited by 4000 people and that represents 15% of Bethlehem's master plan, including it within separation walls and barbed wire thus tightening the ring around it and stripping it off from Bethlehem. Additional thousands of acres of Bethlehem's valuable agricultural land north to the wall will accordingly not be accessible to their owners to benefit from or even to reach.
Another disastrous effect is that this wall will close the single bottleneck entrance of Bethlehem used also by visitors and pilgrims. As tourism constitutes 65% of our citizens' revenue, the construction of this wall will, by all criterions, choke our town and deliver a fatal blow to its economy. I should say this is a piracy act to deprive our people from their properties and business by swallowing the biggest possible area of Palestinian land.
Besides being against the international legitimacy and the security council resolutions, this criminal Israeli plan violates all agreements concluded with our Palestinian National Authority in particular the Oslo Accord that guaranteed free movement of Palestinians on the main road, not to mention its violation to simple human rights. We have supported the peace initiative -the road map- with hopes that it will bring justice, freedom, peace and political stability to our region. Regretfully, the recent Israeli upsurge in land grabs obstructs the viability of any progress in this direction.
By bringing this information to your attention, I appeal to you in the strongest possible terms to do whatever you can to prevent the execution of this oppressive plan in Bethlehem before it becomes too late. Our little town, the capital of Christmas needs urgently your help and that of all people of good will and peace loving people in the world to keep it as it always been a place of dignity, a pilgrimage destination and an opened city for peace.
Hanna J. Nasser
Mayor of Bethlehem
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