4 (Jerusalem time), as the battle for Bethlehem intensified. Palestinian gunmen remained besieged in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity with Israeli forces nearby, the Voice of America (VOA) said.
Officials of the Palestinian Authority said up to 400 people have taken shelter in the church, but Israel accused Palestinian fighters of cynically exploiting churches and holy sites.
Christian peace activists, including church leaders tried to reach the Church of the Nativity, Wednesday April 3, but were stopped by Israeli soldiers.
There was also concern about the situation of the Bethlehem Bible College, which has often been in the cross fire with teachers and students reportedly trapped inside.
FOREIGNERS PICKED UP
Television footage showed that some foreigners staying in Bethlehem were picked up by diplomats, but it is believed that most of them, including many missionary workers, are still in
Bethlehem
At least 7 Palestinians were reportedly killed in the latest fighting that has engulfed what Christians believe was Jesus’ birthplace. Israeli forces have re-occupied seven West Bank towns since Friday, March 29, and heavy fighting was reported around Nablus late Wednesday, April 3.
Gun battles in Jenin left reportedly at least four Palestinians dead, as exchanges of gunfire continued elsewhere in the region. The latest developments came as Egypt announced it was scaling back government-to-government contacts with Israel – apart from those it said "serve the Palestinian cause."
WIDESPREAD DOMESTIC DEMONSTRATIONS
Egyptian Information Minister Safwat el-Sharif made the announcement amid widespread domestic demonstrations to pressure Cairo to break diplomatic ties with Israel and expel the Israeli ambassador.
The country stopped short of cutting all diplomatic relations with the Jewish state, with which it signed the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty of 1979. Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania are the only three Arab nations to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.
However Egyptian officials have warned Israel that the conflict could escalate into a wider war, amid fresh news about fighting between Israeli soldiers and pro Palestinian fighters stationed in neighboring Lebanon. There were also reports about attacks against Jewish synagogues and other Jewish institutions in several European cities.
CONCERN OVER VIOLENCE
Meanwhile world leaders expressed concern over the violence in the Middle East, and the European Union said United States efforts to end the crisis there have failed. In Brussels on Wednesday, April 3, EU Commission President Romano Prodi called for multi-lateral mediation efforts.
In addition the United Nations Security Council began discussing a resolution forcing Israel to withdraw its forces. At the same time the Vatican condemned terrorism and Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.
The Holy See also appealed for the protection of religiously significant sites, VOA said. However United States President George W. Bush has come under pressure to do back Israel’s position.
DESTRUCTION OF ISRAEL?
"Doesn’t the White House understand that (Palestinian leader) Arafat wants the suicide attacks to continue as long as they advance his goal – the destruction of Israel?," wondered former US presidential candidate and conservative politician Gary L. Bauer.
"Israel occupies only 8,019 square miles for its nearly 6 million citizens – slightly smaller than New Jersey. It is surrounded by hostile Arab and Muslim nations that occupy millions of square miles. Yet we are to believe that it is Israel that must give up more land for peace?" asked Bauer in an article, referring to the Saudi peace proposal.
He criticized the Bush administration’s response to the escalating violence. "One moment we say we understand why Israel is defending itself and the next moment we are voting for a UN resolution that demands Israel stop defending itself," added Bauer who accuses Arafat of seeking "the destruction of Israel."
