A Wall Isolates Bethlehem

The Israeli military authorities have taken the decision to separate the Palestinian Territories from Israel by a long wall passing through the whole Country. Works have now reached Bethlehem.

To the Most Rev. Presidents of Bishops Conferences

This is an urgent appeal!

Please, do whatever you can:

– through your own Government,

– with the Israeli Embassy in your Country,

– with the Israeli Government itself.
 
A wall isolates Bethlehem
 
The Israeli military authorities have taken the decision to separate the Palestinian Territories from Israel by a long wall passing through the whole Country. Works have now reached Bethlehem.

Because of this Israeli decision, sixty Christian families, near Rachel’s Tomb, at the entrance of Bethlehem, are being encircled, isolated and deprived of all services, and have only a small entry, through an eight-meter high wall, that will also isolate the city of Bethlehem from Jerusalem and the other Territories.

We address this urgent appeal also to all the Christians in the world:

 Please,

– Before it is too late,

– do something to leave Bethlehem a city where one can go, pray and live in peace;

– convince the Israeli Authorities to stop this measure of building the wall at the entrance of the very holy city of Christmas, the city of Bethlehem!

The inhabitants of Bethlehem and particularly the Christians, seeing themselves closed in, threatened by serious hardship to the point where some of them may feel constrained to leave the country, appeal to you! This is an S.O.S. cry!

From Jerusalem, on the 24th February 2003.

The Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah,         

The Custos of the Holy and 

Fr. Giovanni Battistelli OFM