HOLY LAND, For the first time Christians and Muslims clash, Giant brawl causes no serious injuries but is a worrying sign 14 July, 2004, Bethlehem (AsiaNews/Agency)

Bethlehem (AsiaNews/Agency) – After years of peaceful coexistence, inter-communal violence between Christians and Muslims exploded in Beit Sahur, near Bethlehem. The spark for the night of clashes, fortunately without any serious consequences, was ostensibly the offended honour of a Christian woman who was photographed by a Muslim Peeping Tom.

The incident triggering off the brawl took place late in the afternoon. According to some witnesses, a young Muslim man using a cellphone with camera took picture of a Christian woman in a clothing store. It is not clear, as some maintain, whether the photographed woman was just looking at clothes or actually trying them on in one of the store’s changing rooms.

The woman accused the young man of taking her picture without her consent. The store owner tried to stop the man who in turn tried to run away in a taxi cab. His flight was short-lived for he was eventually stopped by the woman’s brothers who had rushed to the scene. The taxi was smashed and the young man beaten.

Having fled to a nearby mosque, the would-be “photographer” called in brothers and friends. In the open area in front of the mosque hundreds of people gathered, Christians on one side, Muslims on the other, first facing each other, then clashing with sticks and metal rods. The giant brawl was eventually quelled by the police. Some people were slightly hurt, but no one was seriously injured.

World Youth Day plans for Arabic Christians Aleppo, Jul. 20 (CWNews.com)

Aleppo, Jul. 20 (CWNews.com) - Church leaders in the Middle East are planning to organize World Youth Day activities for the Arabic world.

Diocesan officials engaged in youth ministry met in Aleppo, Syria last week to discuss plans for an Arabic observance of World Youth Day. Later in the week, the first-ever "Day for Young Christians" brought together about 4,000 people in Syria, including delegations from Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan. Catholics of several different rites participated in both meetings.

Bishop Scandar's initiative was based on the idea that young Christians, who represent a distinct minority in the predominantly Islamic region, should become better organized. He noted that the Pope's messages to the world's young people, delivered for each year's observance of World Youth Day, are not readily available in Arabic translation, and sought to establish a mechanism that would allow for these translations, and also establish ready communication among Catholics in the Arab world.

Finally, the bishop's goal is to strengthen the Church's efforts to evangelize young people in the Arabic world. That effort is doubly important because of the steady emigration of young Arabic Christians to the Western world-- a trend that has severely eroded the Catholic presence in the region.

Father Francis Kohn, an official of the Vatican's Congregation for the Laity, was a participant in the discussions. Upon his return to Rome, he reported that the meeting had been held at the suggestion of Bishop Georges Scandar, a retired Maronite prelate. The goal, Father Kohn reports, was to establish "a new process in a region of the world where there is no lack of problems."

Father Kohn remarked that the first international meeting of young Catholics was greeted enthusiastically by the participants. The meeting included catechetical talks, meditations, and daily Mass, all under the direction of the Melkite Bishop Clement Jeanbart of Aleppo.

The Arabic Catholic organizers of the July meeting hope to convene another such gathering prior to the celebration of World Youth Day 2005 in Cologne, Germany. Organizers are hoping to attract representatives from Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Iraq, Iran, Turkey, and even Sudan.

Christian hunger strikers welcome ruling on Israel's Separation Wall-12/7/04, Ekklesia

The ruling by the International Court of Justice in The Hague Friday, calling Israel’s construction of its “Separation Wall” illegal, was greeted by hunger strikers in a tent on the northern outskirts of Jerusalem with more joy than a full-course meal would have brought.

The group hunger strike, called to bring attention to the humanitarian consequences of the Wall and led by Israeli-Arab Knesset member Doctor Azmi Bishara, began on July 3rd. Israelis, Palestinians and people from around the world, including members of the World Council of Churches' Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), have joined the nonviolent action.

Churches in the US have also called on the US President George Bush to heed the court's ruling.

“It gives us much hope,” Bishara said in reference to the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling. “We are starving here, but we are very hopeful. Now, it’s not just us saying that the Wall is illegal but the ICJ as well.” One of the specific points that the ICJ’s ruling drew attention to was the illegality of Israel constructing parts of its Wall on occupied Palestinian land rather than on its own internationally-recognized territory.

Bishara, one of two Christian members of the Knesset, Israel’s legislature, used the town of A-Ram as the base for his hunger strike for obvious reasons. Most of A-Ram’s 66,000 residents hold Jerusalem I.D.s and work in Jerusalem. Following the completion of the construction of the Wall, most will be denied access to Jerusalem and will therefore lose their livelihoods. The situation in A-Ram is similar to that of many communities throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

“We want to make it clear that this Wall means life and death for Jerusalem and the whole of Palestinian society,” Bishara continued. “We have used all the parliamentary tools and we will continue to use them. But that has not been enough to show the severity of the situation. This is not only about apartheid, separating Israelis from Palestinians. It’s also about annexation of land, separating Palestinians from Palestinians and getting rid of Palestinians. For Palestinian society, the Wall is absolutely destructive because it separates families and destroys economic and cultural life and people’s ability to go to school and work.”

The hunger strike, the same type of nonviolent method used by Mohandas Gandhi over 50 years ago, has been criticized by some as too drastic a measure. Bishara rejected any such notion: “The situation is drastic, but nobody is doing anything. Now, I’m using my position to draw attention to it. The world can’t just overlook the situation anymore; they have to do something as well. And we will not be happy only with a condemnation on the building of the Wall.”

Bishara’s initiative has been supported by people from across Palestinian and Israeli religious and secular society as well as by members of the international community. Others joining in the hunger strike have included: Archimandrite Atallah Hanna, a Palestinian in the Greek Orthodox Church; Sheikh Tayseer Tamimi, chief judge of the Islamic Supreme Sharia’a Court; and Michael Warchawski, an Israeli and Co-chair of the joint Palestinian-Israeli Alternative Information Center. Many members of the Palestinian Legislative Council joined in the hunger strike as well. Also present in the tent, showing their support, were representatives of the Druze community from the Golan Heights, which was annexed by Israel from Syria following the 1967 war.

Members of the EAPPI, whose mission is to accompany Palestinians and Israelis in their nonviolent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation, were also present at the tent in A-Ram to show solidarity with the hunger strikers and also to participate in the action. Ecumenical Accompaniers Matt Robson of the United Kingdom, Martin Smedjeback of Sweden and Motlatsi Xhalabile of South Africa participated in the hunger strike for one day to show their support for the effort.

Said Robson: “I lost count of the number of people who came up and thanked me for being here; for joining in the hunger strike; and for showing my opposition to this eight-meter high concrete monstrosity that will change their lives if it is completed. That was all the nourishment I needed.”

The organizers of the hunger strike planned a mass demonstration at the tent following the Friday Muslim noon prayer to coincide with the announcement of the ICJ’s ruling. A large contingent from the EAPPI was present, including two more Accompaniers from South Africa, which is participating in the program for the first time. The South African Accompaniers, Wandile Kuse, an Anglican priest, and Hermina Damons, were particularly well-received as they offer a symbol of what can be achieved in this the 10-year anniversary of the end of apartheid in that country. Kuse and Damons both addressed the gathering.

“In the 1930s, the white people in South Africa took 87% of the land, although they represented just one quarter of the population,” Kuse said. “Now we see some of the same things happening here. We got support from the whole international society. Now it’s your turn to be entitled to the same international support.”

“Much of what we’ve seen here the last two weeks is the same as we experienced in South Africa,” Damons said in her address. “We’re here now to encourage you to continue your struggle for justice.”

The symbolic appeal represented by visitors from South Africa to those struggling against the occupation here is not lost on Kuse or Damons. Said Kuse: “We feel we are bringing a message of hope. This occupation will not last forever, despite evidence to the contrary. There was a time when things looked impossible in South Africa too. But if it (the end of apartheid) happened to us, it could happen to them.”

Added Damons: “We can feel what they are feeling. More than just understanding it, we can feel it.”

The tent is a beehive of activity with a constant flow of people coming in and out. Politicians, muftis, sheiks, priests, relatives and friends, and people from abroad come in to show their support for the hunger strikers. The mood is almost festive, but the difficulty of the demonstration is evident when one of the hunger strikers becomes a bit irritated as he finds a bag of grapes in the tent, inadvertently brought in by someone. No food is allowed in the tent, of course, out of respect for those fasting. Suheil Khader, the deputy mayor of A-Ram, wound up in a hospital after participating in a hunger strike for 16 days in 1981. “We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for peace; for the love between people,” he said. “I am tired but when I speak about the suffering of my people, I forget my own personal suffering. The suffering of the people of Palestine is bigger than the suffering of my empty stomach.”

According to Khader, the real reason for the route the Wall is taking in Jerusalem is to force Palestinians to move and give up their rights as Jerusalem residents. “I can’t afford a ,000 a month apartment in Jerusalem so I’m forced to give up my Jerusalem I.D.,” Khader explains. “This is their (the Israeli government) way to make Palestinians leave Jerusalem.”

Based on Israel’s current plans, when the Wall is completed it will be five times longer than the Berlin Wall was and in some places twice as high. Many nonviolent demonstrations against the Wall’s construction have been held but they have received little attention outside of Palestinian circles, particularly in the West. “We know we have right on our side, but it is not enough in this world,” said Ahmad Ghneim, a member of the high committee of the Fatah political movement. “You also need to find the right tools to express your rights.”

Israel, in arguing against accusations that the real purpose of the Wall is to confiscate rich agricultural land and valuable underground water resources around settlements, has stated repeatedly that the barrier is necessary for security. The example of Gaza, where a fence was constructed, is often cited as proof of the efficacy of the barriers. Bishara turns that argument on its head: “If security is ensured by the fence in Gaza, why is it the most bombarded city in the world? Is this a successful model? Is this what is in store for the West Bank? Just as in Gaza, people will find other ways to resist. You can’t take the land, then the water, and then say, ‘You are behind the Wall, now it’s your problem.’ That will not guarantee security.”

The entire gathering was aware of the decision the ICJ had reached, the news having leaked out the night before. But the official announcement provided hope in a sometimes hopeless situation. That hope was tempered somewhat by the realistic knowledge that Israel had already stated it did not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction in the matter and that the United States had already given strong indications it would veto any possible action in the United Nations Security Council. With those developments as a backdrop, Bishara said the hunger strike would continue indefinitely with the understanding that many obstacles still remain before the Wall is stopped.

US churches ask Bush to respect court view on Israel's separation wall , Independent Catholic News, WASHINGTON - 12 July 2004

WASHINGTON - 12 July 2004 - 500 words

US churches have appealed to their government to support the International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on Israel's separation barrier. The court said on Friday that it is against international law for Israel to build its barrier in the occupied territories and that it should be dismantled. For nearly a year, the US churches that work together through Churches for Middle East Peace have advocated for the United States government's intervention to stop Israel's building of the barrier beyond the 1967 "green line" on occupied land in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem.

Franciscan Sister Florence Deacon, director of Franciscans International (an NGO at the United Nations in New York), noted that Franciscans have had custody of Christianity's traditional Holy Land shrines for 800 years. She appreciated the Court's emphasis on the role of the United Nations in negotiating a just and lasting peace in that land sacred to all the children of Abraham. She said: "For the past 50 years, the United States has been a trusted friend of the state of Israel while also caring about the Palestinian people's welfare, and more recently their political rights. Our government needs to use these historic ties to push both sides toward serious negotiations without further delay."

She urged the United States: "to be a partner with the global community and work within the United Nations' system to bring security to both peoples. We cannot have two sets of standards for upholding international law."

"We are grateful that the humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian people of this massive barrier are no longer being ignored," said Episcopal Bishop Barry Howe of the Diocese of West Missouri. Howe was part of a delegation of bishops who viewed the barrier on a trip to Palestine and Israel in May.

He said "The International Court opinion as well as that of the Israeli Supreme Court ruling on June 30 emphasizes the humanitarian dimension as well as that of the rule of law."

Recognizing that the Israelis argue that they needed the barrier for protection from violent terrorist acts, Bishop Howe continued: "The security that Israel seeks, and deserves, will be found in resolving the conflict through a negotiated solution with all concerned and the establishment of a Palestinian state with peace and security for all in the region."

Dennis Frado, Director of the Lutheran Office for World Community at the United Nations, said: "All Members of the United Nations should respect today's advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice. This is a particularly important principle for all of the parties seeking an end to the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians." Referring to the Lutheran churches' historical involvement with Namibia, he said, "We recall the ICJ's opinion in 1971 that South Africa was illegally occupying Namibia. That dispute unfortunately continued to take too many lives and cause unnecessary hardships on both sides before it was resolved. The religious community is called to redouble our efforts for peace with justice in this region as well."

Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace is a Washington-based program of the Alliance of Baptists, American Friends Service Committee, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Institutes, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Church World Service, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Franciscan Mission Service, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Maryknoll Missioners, Mennonite Central Committee, National Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church (GBCS & GBGM) .

© Independent Catholic News 2004

Contact Independent Catholic News tel/fax: +44 (0)20 7267 3616 or email

ASSISI PEACE PRIZE AWARDED TO 2 WHO PROMOTE PEACE THROUGH EDUCATION, One Is Israeli, the Other Palestinian, Zenit.org, 6 July, 2004, Jerusalem

ASSISI, Italy, JULY 6, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The 2004 Assisi Peace Prize was awarded to two women -- an Israeli and a Palestinian -- whose friendship is a symbol of the longed-for peace in the Holy Land.

Angelica Edna Calo Livne, Israeli educator and journalist, and Samar Sahar, Palestinian director of an orphanage, are also among the candidates for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sahar, a Christian, was born in East Jerusalem and studied management at the University of Bethlehem and in England. In 1995 she participated in the Columbus International Program with a group of Palestinians on a peace mission to Ohio.

She has received several awards for her contribution to the dialogue between the two peoples and has dedicated her life to work with children, following in her parents' footsteps. They founded the Jeel-Al-Amal Home of Bethany, which is the most important institution of assistance to children in Palestine.

Sahar also founded the Lazarus Home for Girls, to help orphan girls and women in difficulty, and a "bread oven" in Bethany to enable Israeli and Palestinian women to work together baking the "bread of peace."

Father Vicenzo Coli, Custodian of St. Francis' Basilica, awarded the prize.

Calo Livne, born to a Jewish family in Rome in 1955, has been living in an Israeli kibbutz, on the border with Lebanon, since she was 20. Married and the mother of four sons, for years she has been a teacher in multicultural schools, and in schools for difficult boys. She has also taught at the college level and has worked on programs that enable the elderly to recount their life experiences to young people.

She describes herself as an "educator of peace through art." To this end, in 2002 she created the Rainbow Theater, made up of young Jews and Arabs -- Christians, Muslims and Druses -- who with mime and dance narrate what goes on in the mind of an adolescent living in a country at war.

Calo Livne told ZENIT about the case of a girl who on one occasion "began crying out a disturbing monologue in which she recounted her experience during the last 'holidays' in Mombassa, Kenya, with her parents and little brothers when the wonderful hotel in which they were staying was turned into a scene of death and horror after an attack against Israeli citizens."

To illustrate her work, Calo Livne quoted a letter written by 21-year-old Nemi: "Four of my best friends have died in an attack. When I heard about it, I didn't want to take part in the show. I no longer believed in anything. I did not feel like doing anything. But I had to react. We must continue to believe in something. We cannot stop dreaming."

Sharif Balut, a 21-year-old Christian Arab, wrote: "I come to the Rainbow Theater because I believe in peace. Because I believe that we will be able to live together, because we are different and through my friends I know new worlds. I look forward to this meeting all week because it enlarges my heart. To dance, laugh, joke and recite with them makes me happy!"