wfn.org | ENS bulletin

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2002-014

Bulletin:

     The Diocese of Jerusalem
     Urgent Call for Prayer: The Arab Evangelical School, Ramallah

     January 18, 2002

     Early this morning the Israeli military broke through the doors from the 
playground to the school and forced their way into the Arab Evangelical School in 
Ramallah, one of the service institutions of the Diocese of Jerusalem. The School 
building was entered under threat of harm by the soldiers, and each classroom and 
office searched. Samira Nasser, the School's director arrived and was told by the 
Israel soldiers to return to her home, and that if she stayed she would be in 
danger. 

     Soldiers are now stationed at the main entrance to the school and have 
prevented The Rev. George Al Kopti, rector to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in 
Ramallah, and Sister Najah Rantisi, of the Evangelical Home, from leaving the 
premises. At any attempt to leave, they have been threatened by the military, 
both verbally and with weapons. There are also nineteen children, aged three to 
seventeen, currently boarding at the Evangelical Home, adjacent to the school.

     The Arab Evangelical School and Home are under the ministry of the Episcopal 
Diocese of Jerusalem, and as such are on church property. It is very serious 
indeed, when military forces forcibly enter church property. 

     The school was founded in 1954 with 20 pupils. It now has 568 students from 
kindergarten through high school. Seventy percent of the students are Christian, 
30 percent are Moslem. A total of 45 teachers are on staff. One of the prime 
activities of the school is to teach about peace issues. The school is engaged in 
a bilateral program with Israeli counterparts in education to promote peace 
through education. To that end staff are trained in conflict resolution skills, 
negotiation skills and how to design workable peace programs. "We are proud of 
this program. We managed to show how we can represent our national dreams and 
aspirations through dialogue and not through violence" (Samira Nasser, director).

     Please keep the School, the staff, the clergy, the students, and those 
children at the Evangelical Home and all the people of this troubled region in 
your thoughts and prayers. 

     Nancy Dinsmore
     Development Office
     Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem