JERUSALEM, Nov. 17, 00 (CWNews.com/Fides) - The Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, Archbishop Pietro Sambi, on Thursday visited the Christian villages Beit Jala, Beit Sahour, and Bethlehem, targeted for the last week by Israeli artillery. During the eight hours he was there, Israeli weapons were silent.
Because of Palestinian attacks in the Gilo district of Jerusalem and Israeli shelling of Beit Jala in retaliation, many Christian villagers are now homeless and dozens of Palestinians are dead. Also killed in Israeli raids on November 15 was German Lutheran Dr. Harry Fischer, whose wife is Palestinian. Archbishop Sambi visited the families of the victims and those whose homes have been destroyed, including Mrs. Fischer.
Only a few days ago, Archbishop Sambi had said, "The destiny of the Israelis and Palestinians is to live together." Peace and dialogue, he added, "cannot be sacrificed for the pride of political leaders." Since negotiations collapsed and the intifada resumed, violence between the two sides has escalated, killing 233, mostly on the Palestinian side. Diplomatic observers note the disproportion of Israeli reaction to Palestinian resistance fighting: in response to the latter's automatic weapons, Israel launches rockets and missiles from attack helicopters.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
17. november 2000