wfn.org | ELCA Bishops Protest Israeli Occupation of Bethlehem School

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 12, 2002

ELCA BISHOPS PROTEST ISRAELI OCCUPATION OF BETHLEHEM SCHOOL
02-047-JB

     VANCOUVER, B.C. (ELCA) -- The Conference of Bishops of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted a resolution
"vigorously" protesting the Israeli military's occupation of a Lutheran
school in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.  The bishops' resolution also
deplored "all acts of violence against innocent civilians."
     The ELCA Conference of Bishops is an advisory body to the church.
Its members are the church's 65 synod bishops, ELCA presiding bishop and
ELCA secretary.  The conference met here March 7-12 at the invitation of
the bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
     The resolution was in response to the military occupation of the
Dar al-Kalima Model School, which is located on a hilltop in Bethlehem.
Israeli forces occupied the school March 9, withdrew and returned March
11.  Some damage to the property was reported, and soldiers took up
positions on the roof of the school, said the Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor
of Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, and founder of Dar al-Kalima.
     No injuries or deaths have been reported as a result of the
occupation.  No students or staff were at the school at the time of
either occupation since Lutheran schools in Bethlehem have suspended
classes because of heightened violence, said the Rev. Munib A. Younan,
bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine)
(ELCJ).
     Younan denounced the military occupation of the school.
     Viola Raheb, ELCJ director for schools, and Dr. Nuha Khoury, Dar
al-Kalima coordinator, issued a March 12 news release, stating Israeli
troops had again withdrawn from the school.  The release said Younan,
the school's headmaster and guard did a hurried survey of the school
property.  "The three of them were met by scenes of damage greater than
was originally anticipated," it said.
     The release included a list of damages to the school.  It said
seven windows were broken and ironwork protecting one was bulldozed,
eight iron doors were shot open and destroyed, and "a tank hit the
northeast corner of the school's building."  The damage "can only be
described as an act of pure vandalism," said the release.
     "The wooden cross at the entrance of the school was taken down and
destroyed as well as the ceramic cross," said the release.  The ceramic
cross was a gift from the Rev. Robert A. Rimbo, bishop of the ELCA's
Southeast Michigan Synod, who presented it to school when he visited
Bethlehem on a fact-finding tour in November.
     "We cannot remain silent while our brothers and sisters of the
ELCJ continue to suffer as innocent victims of the violence in the
Middle East," the ELCA bishops' resolution said.  "We are especially
shocked by the recent attack and occupation of the school by Israeli
military forces.  This harassment of an institution of faith and
learning is unacceptable and will only contribute to further erosion of
the hope for peace."
     "We appeal to President George W. Bush to take immediate action to
seek a cessation of violence in the Middle East and to protect the lives
and property of all those who are suffering from unjust attacks," the
resolution concluded.
     The primary author of the resolution was the Rev. Margaret G.
Payne, bishop of the ELCA New England Synod, which shares a "companion
synod" relationship with the ELCJ.  The United Nations and U.S.
government must be involved more actively to halt the violence in the
Middle East, she said during the bishops' discussions on the issue.
     Dar al-Kalima Model School is housed in a new building.  The ELCA
provided a $150,000 gift to meet the costs of building the new facility.
The Rev. H. George Anderson, former ELCA presiding bishop, participated
in its groundbreaking in 1998.  Currently, the school has about 240
students.
-- -- --
     The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (and Palestine) maintains
information at http://www.holyland-lutherans.org/ on the Web.  Further
information is available at  http://www.annadwa.org/ on the Web site of
the International Center of Bethlehem.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html