Jerusalem (ICEJ) strongly condemned what it called "the deliberate and provocative exploitation by armed Palestinian elements" of religious sites and civilians.
In a statement obtained by BosNewsLife the ICEJ noted that Palestinian gunmen use "the landmark Church of the Nativity and other religious sites in Bethlehem as a safe haven along with their use of innocent civilians as human shields."
"As a voice for millions of Christians worldwide, we cannot accept this transgression on the sanctity of the Church of the Nativity and we thoroughly denounce it," said Rev. Malcolm Hedding, Executive Director of the ICEJ.
"OUTLAWS"
"It is a premeditated offence by militant outlaws who know it is a place central to our faith and thus would provide them unquestioned refuge," Hedding added in a statement that was to be published in the Jerusalem Post newspaper Friday, April 5.
He made the comments as one of the priests trapped inside the Church of the Nativity, Father Ibrahim Faltas, told reporters that "a gun battle had broken out." Speaking to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Palestinian fighters inside the church added that Israeli forces "had blown open the back door."
The BBC also reported that the Israeli army denied it had stormed the church, saying its soldiers had only fired shots while chasing militants who had escaped. Israeli soldiers prevented reporters from reaching the scene to assess Palestinian claims.
CHURCH
However the ICEJ suggested it supports Israel’s military actions. "While the current conflict is a difficult and complex one, everyone must recognize that these Palestinian gunmen took the battle inside this Church by design," said ICEJ Executive Director Hedding.
The ICEJ also accused the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) of having carried out "a similar tactic" during the war in Lebanon where it said "the PLO systematically defiled and destroyed churches and other Christian properties."
The Israeli army now controls nearly all major centres in Palestinian territories, and has detained hundreds of suspects.
As the Israeli offensive aimed at capturing Palestinian militants
entered its seventh day Thursday, April 4, United States President George W. Bush launched a new peace initiative.
POWELL
Bush said he would send US Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region next week to push for a cease-fire. However the president made clear that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat should "do everything in his power" to stop terrorist suicide bombings.
He accused Iraq of paying off families of suicide bombers, and Iran of sending arms to Palestinian militants. Meanwhile, Israel said it will allow US. Mideast envoy Anthony Zinni to meet Arafat, who remained trapped in his compound surrounded by Israeli forces.
However an attempt by a European Union delegation to visit the Palestinian leader Thursday April 4 did not succeed after Israel blocked the meeting. While Western leaders condemned the suicide bombers, they have also pressured Israel to withdraw from Palestinian territories.
ANTI SEMITISM
In several countries including France, synagogues and other Jewish sites were attacked by protesters, amid fears of rising anti Semitism across Europe and other continents. However Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said the military action will continue, at a time when his country is apparently attacked from different fronts.
On Thursday, April 4, Sharon accused Iran and Syria of backing an upsurge of Hezbollah guerrilla rocket attacks on Israeli forces in the northern border area. He hinted at severe retaliation, warning that Israel is ready to take "all actions" required, and that his country will not allow attacks on its northern towns.
There is international concern that Israel and Arab countries will be drawn into a full scale Middle East war.
