church around Christmas time, Israel’s army pulled back its troops to the outskirts of Jesus birthplace, reports said Tuesday December 24.
The army reoccupied the town in November after a Palestinian suicide bomber from Bethlehem blew himself up on a Jerusalem bus, killing 11 people.
Israeli officials said the withdrawal "was a move to allow Christmas celebrations to go forward," but added that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will not be allowed to enter the troubled city.
The army’s announcement came a day after the Palestinian president lashed out at Israel for occupying Bethlehem, The Voice of America reported.
EASING TENSIONS
Despite the brief easing of tensions, the exodus of Christians apparently continued, BosNewsLife learned. "The Palestinian Christian is an endangered species," said Prof. Abe W. Ata a 9th generation Christian Palestinian, born in Bethlehem.
"When the modern state of Israel was established there were about 400, 000 of us," he said adding that the number was down to 60, 000. "So why are Palestinian Christians abandoning their homeland? We have lost hope, that’s why we are treated as non-people."
The President of the Bethlehem Bible College, Bishara Awad, has urged Christians around the world to pray for the "suffering church" in Jesus’ birthplace and demand that Israel ends what he regards as "cruel acts" against the local population.
CHRISTIANS SUFFER
However there are also indications that Christians suffer under plans to establish Islamic law in Palestinian territories.
The Fatah party, led by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, has threatened to amputate the arms and legs of any Palestinians involved in street crime in Hebron, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) News Service reported.
It quoted leaflets as saying that "the streets of Hebron and its suburbs…will soon witness people with one arm or one leg… punished in accordance with the sharia [Islamic law]."
POLITICAL TENSIONS
The announcement ahead of Christmas was also expected to further lead to political tensions in the region, despite European Union efforts to ease them.
In an effort to educate a new peaceful generation, the EU has announced it will sponsor a joint production of the popular children’s program Sesame Street by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority.
The ICEJ News Service quoted Israeli media reports as saying that it was part of an effort "to promote better understanding between the three groups…"
