The Holy land Christian Ecumenical Foundation local committee in Palestine is appalled with the apathy expressed by the world to the crimes that are being committed against civilians, families and children all around the Palestinian cities towns and refugee camps.

Bethlehem April 9, 2002

An Emergency Appeal

The Holy land Christian Ecumenical Foundation local committee in Palestine is appalled with the apathy expressed by the world to the crimes that are being committed against civilians, families and children all around the Palestinian cities towns and refugee camps. In Bethlehem, when the tragedy of the still besieged 250 priests and civilians looms over the minds and hearts of all residents and people of faith as to the future and sanctity of this holy place, the world is still silent and in the negotiation phase, when action should have been taken a long time ago.

We as local committee of HCEF are a witness to the war crimes being committed, to the humiliation and starvation of masses of people. The news of some 5000 families in Bethlehem alone, housebound with no electricity, water and food for the last eight days, is but another reminder of our inability to reach out to those in need, to those who with out choice, are destined to await their sickness, their starvation and probably death in silence. Many others inside and outside Bethlehem city face a rather similar fate, many watch their children ache form hunger their sick screaming in pain and their loved ones dead, exposed to rain, sun and dirt.

We call upon the various local committees in various locations who are affiliated and committed to the Holy land, who are in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in faith, and the different churches and church groups who are partners and friends in the realization of a unified church of God, to act, each in his or her gift of the holy spirit, to share and stand by the truth in God and in his glory, and in his call for love and compassion to rule amongst humans, brothers and sisters of one God. Where diplomacy and the intentional law has failed or has chosen to fail, it is the role of the peoples to flip to the other side of the coin and lead their leaders into what is humanly right and just.

  • Call upon your bishops parish priest and church groups to support the local church in ending the nativity Church tragedy, the sanctity of and lives of besieged people should be spared and not utilized for any bargaining attempt what so ever. The intruding Israeli forces should leave. Not only Bethlehem but also all the cities recently occupied.
  • Exercise your right to freedom of expression and request that your leaders, representatives and senators show signs of compassion not wrath and disinterest, the future and the very existence of a whole nation, a society, a family is in jeopardy. Vote for life not death.
  • Assist local churches, local and international relief and charitable organizations in their urgent intervention to the ending the starvation of families, in providing shelter and medical to the injured and the misplaced.
    Pray that we will all endure such calamity and unite in God for peace and justice.