wfn.org | Bulletin II

[ENS@ecunet.org]

Bulletin II

2002-014a

Bulletin II:

Episcopal Church expresses outrage over Israeli intrusion at school in Ramallah

     "When we learned from the diocesan office in Jerusalem that the Israeli 
military had forced their way into the Arab Evangelical School in Ramallah early 
this morning (January 18) we expressed our outrage to the State Department and 
the religious liaison office in the White House," said the Rev. Brian Grieves, 
director of the Episcopal Church's Office of Peace and Justice Ministries. "We 
also shared the urgent call for prayer from the Diocese of Jerusalem 
(http://www.episcopalchurch.org/ens/2002-014.html) with government and church 
leaders and will monitor the situation until the issue is resolved."

     Nancy Dinsmore in the development office for the Diocese of Jerusalem wrote 
that the Israeli military "broke through the doors from the playground to the 
school and forced their way" into the school which is supported by the diocese. 
She reported that soldiers prevented the school's rector, the Rev. George Al 
Kopti, and Sister Najah Rantisi from leaving the premises. "At any attempt to 
leave, they have been threatened by the military, both verbally and with 
weapons." She said that there are 19 children currently boarding at the 
Evangelical Home adjacent to the school.