Reports from our contacts in Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Bethlehem confirm that Israeli Occupation Forces have invaded the Christian town of Beit Jala early Tuesday morning and have occupied a portion of the town. Invasion forces consist of troops, tanks and armored personnel carriers. Israeli heavy machine gun fire and tank fire have been used to counter fierce resistance by Palestinians who opposed the military incursion into Palestinian territory. Shimon Peres has proposed a ceasefire so that Israeli forces can retire from the village
The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF)
News Release
Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation Condemns Israeli Invasion of the Christian Town of Beit Jala
Reports from our contacts in Beit Jala, Beit Sahour and Bethlehem confirm that Israeli Occupation Forces have invaded the Christian town of Beit Jala early Tuesday morning and have occupied a portion of the town. Invasion forces consist of troops, tanks and armored personnel carriers. Israeli heavy machine gun fire and tank fire have been used to counter fierce resistance by Palestinians who opposed the military incursion into Palestinian territory. Shimon Peres has proposed a ceasefire so that Israeli forces can retire from the village.
The Lutheran Bishop in Jerusalem has informed us that in the morning of Tuesday 28 August 2001, the Israeli army occupied the Lutheran Church’s premises, including a church building, an orphanage and an inter-religious center and guesthouse in Beit Jala. According to Bishop Munib A. Younan, fifty youngsters between four and eighteen years of age have been kept isolated in the orphanage. Due to the curfew imposed on Beit Jala, no one can reach the premises and bring food and other necessities to the children. Bishop Younan has emphasized that no shooting has taken place from the church buildings in the preceding days. Reportedly, the Israeli army is shooting from its positions on the roof of the buildings of the Lutheran Church.
The Holy land Christian Ecumenical Foundation strongly condemns the Israeli incursion into Beit Jala and the occupation of the buildings belonging to the Lutheran Church. The military takeover of Lutheran Church property is unacceptable. The use of religious and humanitarian institutions occupied by children for military purposes is a violation every military and civil principle espoused by all civilized nations. Our organization is outraged that the children and staff in the orphanage would be used as shields to protect Israeli soldiers.
HCEF demands the immediate withdrawal from Beit Jala of Israeli Occupation troops. Furthermore, we remind the Israeli government that under the Fourth Geneva Convention, Israel has the responsibility for the safety of the Palestinian civilians living in the territories occupied by Israel.
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The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by concerned Christians, to help preserve Christian presence in the Holy Land.
( The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation is a tax exempt, non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of Christians in the Holy Land by developing bonds of solidarity with Christians in the United States. HCEF, PO Box 6687, Silver Spring, MD 20906. (301) 871-9222, Fax (301) 871-2277. www.hcef.org. email: news@hcef.org, Toll Free (866) 871-4233
