wfn.org | Arafat Asks Presbyterians to Aid Bethlehem

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

25-July-1996 
 
 
 
96261       Arafat Asks Presbyterians to Aid Bethlehem 
 
                         by Martin Bailey 
 
GAZA CITY--President Yasir Arafat urged a group of U.S. Presbyterians 
visiting here July 16 to give all possible assistance to the development of 
Bethlehem in the next four years. 
 
     A major international effort to make the Palestinian city ready for 
the 2000th anniversary of Jesus' birth is endangered by an Israeli plan to 
cut a swath through the center of the city for a new military road. 
 
     Arafat, president of the Palestine National Authority, received the 
group -- a Presbyterian Peacemaking Program study seminar headed by the 
Rev. Victor Makari, coordinator for the Middle East and southern Asia in 
the Worldwide Ministries Division, and Debby Vial, associate for 
peacemaking partnerships in the Congregational Ministries Division -- and 
thanked them for the statement on Middle East issues adopted by the 208th 
General Assembly earlier this month in Albuquerque. 
 
     He told the group in a 45-minute discussion that "Palestinians desire 
peace.  Palestinians are working for peace, and Palestinians are suffering 
for peace."  He cited the extended closure of the borders between 
Palestinian autonomous areas that are causing high unemployment and $6 
million a day in lost income. 
 
     The Presbyterian study group visited ecumenical projects in Gaza 
refugee camps and talked with staff at the Ahli Arab Hospital, both of 
which are supported by grants from the PC(USA). 
      
     Arafat told the group that all Palestinians -- Christians and Muslims 
-- are eager for a comprehensive peace in the region.  He expressed concern 
that the new Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu seems unwilling to 
stand by the agreements signed in Washington by its predecessor. 
 
     "We need peace and Israel needs peace," Arafat said.  "The Arab world 
needs peace -- the whole world needs peace," he said.  He was introduced to 
the Presbyterian group by the Anglican bishop of Jerusalem, Samir Kafity, 
who told the visiting group that he had been present when Arafat, the late 
Yitzak Rabin and former Prime Minister Shimon Peres had received the Nobel 
Prize for their efforts to achieve peace. 
 
     "My hope has been," Arafat said, "that by the time the world 
celebrates the 2000th birthday of the Prince of Peace we would have a firm 
and just peace here in the land that is holy to Jews, Muslims and 
Christians." 
 
     He told the group that Netanyahu seems unwilling to negotiate on the 
key issues that remain -- the status of Jerusalem, the Jewish settlements 
that have been built in the Occupied Territories and the rights of 
Palestinian refugees to return to their homes. 
 
     He also cited the Israeli prime minister's unwillingness to redeploy 
Israeli troops from the Palestinian city of Hebron. 
 
     He expressed particular concern about the possibility of new 
settlements being constructed in land confiscated from Bethlehem residents 
and the announced plans to develop a new city -- Bethlehem, Israel -- where 
visitors would be housed in new hotels. 
 
     The Arab city of Bethlehem, under the leadership of a Christian mayor, 
Elias Freij, has developed plans with United Nations help to overcome 
decades of "de-development" under Israeli occupation.  In addition to new 
hotels and improved roads, Bethlehem is planning to modernize the plaza 
known as Manger Square. 
 
     Arafat repeated the frequently stated Arab position that unless there 
is a compromise on the issue of Jerusalem, peace will ultimately fail. 
Occupied East Jerusalem is home to hundreds of thousands of Muslims and 
Christians. 
 
(Martin Bailey, retired director of communications for the National Council 
of Churches, is currently living in Jerusalem.)  

------------
For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 

--