 November 2001
American Friends Service Committee Peacework Magazine Patrica Watson, Editor Sara Burke, Assistant Editor Pat Farren, Founding Editor 2161 Massachusetts Ave. Telephone number: Fax number:
pwork@igc.org Peacework has been published monthly since 1972, intended to serve as a source of dependable information to those who strive for peace and justice and are committed to furthering the nonviolent social change necessary to achieve them. Rooted in Quaker values and informed by AFSC experience and initiatives, Peacework offers a forum for organizers, fostering coalition-building and teaching the methods and strategies that work in the global and local community. Peacework seeks to serve as an incubator for social transformation, introducing a younger generation to a deeper analysis of problems and issues, reminding and re-inspiring long-term activists, encouraging the generations to listen to each other, and creating space for the voices of the disenfranchised. Views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily of the AFSC. |
Hospital in Beit Jala Comes Under Fire Sunday, October 21, 2001 Dear Friends, Today has seen an escalation of violence in the Bethlehem region. After a couple hours of quiet, heavy shooting began as the Israeli tanks again moved towards the Cinema region of Bethlehem (beginning of Paul VI Street) around 1 pm. The tanks seem to be driving around as if they are playing chess, although I'm not sure anyone has a game plan. Now, in the last 45 minutes, the hospital in Beit Jala, the main hospital for the area, has come under attack four times. About an hour ago, a man was killed inside the hospital when it came under fire. Just now, an anesthesiology technician has been wounded. The director has reported major damage to the building and that tanks are at the entrance. This is not the first time shots have been directed there. Yesterday, when the director was being interviewed on television, a window behind him shattered from gunfire. About an hour ago for the first time, a shell or missile landed in or near Manger Square. Beit Sahour has also now come under shelling. And as I'm writing this, heavy shelling has just hit the area somewhere near the Wi'am Palestinian Conflict Resolution Center and is continuing. Bethlehem University has been suspended until further notice, as have all the schools in the area. Israel seems to be upset that Palestinians are shooting at their tanks and soldiers, which at this point, I find absurd. Not only are their soldiers continuing to occupy Palestinian land in general, but they are currently in the process of re-invading Palestinian-controlled areas, firing shells and missiles into towns and villages, terrorizing everyone. What do they think Palestinians are going to do? Serve them tea and biscuits? Sharon evidently stated this afternoon that they'll leave the Palestinian cities when the 'terror' is stopped. And exactly how does he expect that to happen while Israel is terrorizing with machine guns, tanks, and helicopters? I'm sorry if this sounds a bit hard-edged and not particularly rational, but what is happening right now is pure insanity. For the love of God and humanity, we'd better find a way to stop this soon.
--The Rev. Sandra Olewine, United Methodist Liaison
in Jerusalem |
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