In a predawn raid on March 14, Israeli tank shells slammed into the Church of the Nativity,
the holy site of the birthplace of Jesus Christ, slicing off the hands and nose of the Virgin
Mary statue.
The church, which also houses a hospital and orphanage, sustained a barrage of bullets
and artillery including a tank shell, which punched a bowling ball-sized hole from Israeli
tanks, stationed less than 50 meters away. Sister Sophie, the nun in charge of the
compound, moved patients within the church hospital to a safer locale. These included
maternity patients in labor and just delivered.
The statue of the Virgin Mary remained standing atop the two centuries old church amidst
all the shelling but this was only the beginning of the atrocities. Israeli Occupation troops
began laying siege to Bethlehem, March 29th and the daily serenity, which lies over the
holy city, was replaced by an eerie quiet. More than 50 Israeli tanks have invaded the
Manger Square, located in front of the infamous site of Jesus Christ’s birth. Inside the
church are more than 260 Palestinian asylum seekers, in search of safety from the soldiers
of the Israeli Occupation Forces. The priests and nuns are remaining inside as a show of
solidarity, although the Israeli press is accusing the Palestinians of holding them hostage.
Tanks barrel through the streets of Bethlehem, announcing by loudspeaker that a curfew
has been imposed and anyone found in the streets would be shot. While at the same time,
Israeli radio has made false allegations that those seeking refuge were armed militiamen,
although church elders testified that they are old women, men, and children, unarmed
innocents and under the protection of the church.
Water mains have been destroyed, thereby depriving the diocese of water supply. Food
and medical supplies are not being allowed delivery to the holy sanctuaries in an effort to
starve people out. Naturally, normal traffic is impossible, as Israeli checkpoints have
denied entry into Bethlehem, even to human rights groups, ambulances, and the press.
One of the first tragic casualties of the Israeli siege was the murder of the 45 year old,
mentally disabled the Church of the Nativity when he was struck by a bullet to the chest.
Samer Ibrahim Salman, a Palestinian Christian, who has been the bell ringer and caretaker
of the abbey for the past 30 years, was on his way to ring the morning bell on March 29th,
when Israeli army snipers hit him.
Archbishop John P. Foley, a senior Vatican official, declared on April 5th, that the violent
developments and deaths in Bethlehem “must break (the Pope’s) heart.”
Israeli Occupation Forces, (IOF), have destroyed the gate leading to the Milk Grotto of the
Church of the Nativity and blown off the rear entrance to the main building. They have
justified these blasphemous actions by making their false allegations as to the quality of
persons seeking asylum. Raanan Gissen, spokesman for the office of Ariel Sharon told
reporters in defense of the IOF’s actions that Palestinians, “use churches and other holy
places to conduct attacks on our forces.” The Vatican called for a negotiated solution and
sharply criticized Israel for what it called humiliating treatment of Palestinians. Meanwhile,
Israeli Occupation troops prevented a delegation of senior Christian clergymen, amongst
them the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, Michel Sabbagh, from entering Bethlehem. These
holy men had been intent upon mediating a peaceful end to the standoff at the Church of
the Nativity but were stopped by the Israeli soldiers aggression.
Further acts of aggression upon Christianity
Israeli gunfire has caused damage to the face of the Church of the Nativity and has set fire
to the parish building in front of the basilica. Father David Jaeger, spokesman for Catholic
sites in the Holy Land called the Israeli invasion of Palestinian lands, “an act of
indescribable barbarity” as well as “a violation of every law of humanity and civilization.”
Furthermore, he stressed that Israel, through it’s action had broken the covenant with the
Holy See and the consequences would be “long-term and incalculable.”
The Russian Orthodox Church has reported that a hospice used by pilgrims to the holy city
of Bethlehem has been taken over by the Israeli Occupation forces prompting strong
protest from Moscow by Russian Orthodox patriarch, Aleksy II.
A Palestinian, who was trying to put out a fire started by Israeli troops at St. Katherine’s
Church, was shot to death for his humanitarian attempts.
Three groups of Israeli Occupation Forces have entered the Evangelical Lutheran
Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Reverend Dr. Mitri Raheb alerted the bishop in
Jerusalem, Bishop Dr. Munib Younan, who called Israeli military, government, and
diplomatic corps demanding that soldiers be removed from church property. Soldiers went
from room to room for nearly 2 hours, breaking into offices and holding the Reverend
hostage. Mary E. Jensen, communications assistant for the church testified to this and
reported that the gift shop of the church had been damaged by 2 tank shells and could not
be secured.
The Church of Our Lady Fatima has been invaded simultaneously, Father Magdi Siryani
reported. Father Siryani gave testimony as to the damage of the surrounding the church
property from heavy artillery and tanks. Israeli forces are refusing any food, medical or
water supplies to the men, women, and children inside. “Dozens and dozens of churches
are full of people who have just fled this terror,” said Father Siryani.
Virgin Mary Statue Desecrated by Israeli Defense Forces
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Senator C. Palantine
Bookmarks