Last week another episode of Sharon’s massacres began. It started with the assassination of three Palestinians in the Bethlehem Area at a time of a complete cease-fire in the area following the orders of President Arafat. This incident proves to all, except the blind and the bigot, which Sharon is absolutely committed to the total destruction of the peace process, and the ending of any hope for peace.
Beit Jala, October 26, 2001
Last week another episode of Sharon’s massacres began. It started with the assassination of three Palestinians in the Bethlehem Area at a time of a complete cease-fire in the area following the orders of President Arafat. This incident proves to all, except the blind and the bigot, which Sharon is absolutely committed to the total destruction of the peace process, and the ending of any hope for peace.
In this latest episode of crimes against the people of Palestine, no place is safe and no place is sacred neither churches, not mosques nor hospitals A 19 year old boy was killed in the square of the nativity church, and another was killed in front of Belt Jala Hospital.
No home is safe either not even the lives of the mothers were spared. A pregnant 24-year old mother was killed while buying milk for her two young children. Another 19-year old boy was shot with a sniper bullet inside his own home. This in addition to the many injuries totaling in the hundreds.
Killing and injuring innocent Palestinian civilians was not all. As the intent of Sharon is the total destruction, his tanks and bulldozers damaged many homes, roads, electric and power lines, and water pipelines.
Cemeteries were not spared as well; an Israeli tank demolished the wall of the Christian Cemetery in Belt Jala. This proving beyond doubt that with Sharon even the dead cannot have peace.
In addition the damage reached the t40-year~o1d Peace Bell of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Christian Church. Not to mention the destruction of over 100 cars, which were destroyed as tanks rolled over them.
These Israeli acts, combined with the continuous shelling of the Palestinian homes brought about much misery and agony to the peaceful people of the Bethlehem area. It has also created a serious humanitarian situation, which includes:
- The lack of clean drinking water due to the destruction of water pipelines and over 4,200-roof water tanks in addition to the already existing water deficit in the area because of the Israeli refusal to give us the water amounts agreed upon.
- Lack of food due lo the inability of many families to leave their homes to buy food, and due to many shops running out of stock. In addition to the fact that people have run out of money due to the continuous Israeli siege over the past year.
- Horrific psychological impacts especially on children.
- The Israeli Army taking over homes and using people as human shields.
- The destruction of ambulances and not allowing the civil defense personnel to provide the necessary first aid to the injured.
Sustaining an occupation that aims to subjugate an entire people cannot lead to peace. Israel must comply with all UN Resolutions and international laws by ending the occupation. An urgent need exists for an international protection force to the Palestinian people Israel must immediately end the siege of Palestinian towns and villages. It must cease all of its settlement activities Peace cannot be built on occupied lands.
Raji Zeidan / Mayor
