the Vatican to intervene in the escalating violence. In a letter released Saturday, April 13, gunmen in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity appealed to Pope John Paul and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to get them out.
They said Israeli troops surrounding the church have cut off food, water, and medical supplies and that Israel is denying visits from the International Red Cross and other relief groups.
The British Broadcasting Corporation quoted Archbishop of Canterbury’s special envoy, Canon Andrew White, as saying from Bethlehem, "there was a danger of a humanitarian crisis at the church."
CHRISTIANS APPEAL
However Christian ministries in Jerusalem urged the United States to support Israel, and they condemned the Bush administration’s demand that the country withdraws its forces from Palestinian territories "without delay."
"As you arrive in a land battered by this very same scourge of terror, you have ordered the closest of allies, Israel, to stand down and retreat from the battle," they wrote in an open letter to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who visits the region.
"The tentacles of Palestinian terrorism run from Teheran to Ramallah to Islamic charities on American soil," said the letter signed by Bridges for Peace, Christian Friends of Israel and the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.
INNOCENT CHILDREN
The organizations, who claim to represent millions of Christians around the world, suggested that "Palestinian terrorists" show no bounds as they are "invading the sanctity of Christian and Jewish holy places and observances, and demanding even the sacrifice of innocent children." They said the attacks thrive "under the rule of PLO leader Yasser Arafat – the dean of all international terrorists."
The letter was released as residents around a bus stop next to the Jerusalem market began to prepare for new funeral services following a suicide bomb attack which killed 6 on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath, Friday April 12.
Glass shards, twisted metal, blood and body parts were seen across the pavement of Jaffa Road, described by some as the most dangerous place on earth because so many people already died there in terrorist related violence.
MANY WOUNDED
"I saw blood, many people got wounded, innocent people, children, old people, among them also Arabs. It was terrible," said 23-year old Odi Steinberger, who was walking across the street when the blast occurred.
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a group linked to Palestinian leader Arafat’s Fatah faction, claimed responsibility for the attack.
