wfn.org | Protestant School in Ramallah Occupied by Israeli Military

[JerusalemRelOrgs@aol.com]

For information contact:
Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal
St. George's Episcopal Cathedral
Nablus Road, Jerusalem
Tel: (972-2) 628.3302

CHILDREN AND TEACHERS ARE SAFE, SAYS ANGLICAN BISHOP

       JERUSALEM, March 29, 2002--The Evangelical (Protestant) Home and
School in Ramallah has been by Israeli soldiers and the ten sisters and lay
staff members were ordered to move into another building.  Children in the
school had already been sent home, according to the Anglican  Bishop of
Jerusalem,  The Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal.

       In a Good Friday letter written from Jerusalem to Anglicans worldwide,
Bishop Riah Abu El-Assal said: "The Rev. George Al Kopti, Rector of St.
Andrew
bs Episcopal Church in Ramallah remains in his home at the Church compound,
afraid for his safety on the streets.  The sounds of gunfire consistently
fill the air."

       He also reported that the streets of Jerusalem were "conspicuously
empty" on Good Friday after he and other Christians made the traditional walk
along the Via Dolorosa in the Old City.  There were "sounds of helicopters,
police sirens and tank movements," he said.  "The atmosphere is frightening."

       Not many accompanied him on the Good Friday march.

       The Bishop asked Christians abroad to "be especially vigilant in your
prayers for our people."  The full text of his message follows:

Message of Good Friday, Jerusalem

March 29, 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

       We have just finished our Good Friday service at St. Georgebs
Cathedral, after walking the Via Dolorosa.  Good Friday has come to
Jerusalem, amidst the sounds of helicopters, police sirens, and tank
movements.  The atmosphere is frightening and this did not allow many to
attend.  One is reminded of that atmosphere two thousand years ago.  The
streets are conspicuously empty.

       As you turn your attention to our Land, the Land where it all began on
the first Good Friday so many years ago, we kindly ask that you be especially
vigilant in your prayers for our people.  We ask that you follow the example
of John and Mary, and avoiding following in the footsteps of those who stood
watching from afar.  As never before in the last 50 years, we ask that you be
close to us and to our people.

       In the community at large, in places like Ramallah and other towns in
the West Bank and Gaza, people fear the worst.  Yesterday the town of
Ramallah was surrounded by 150 Israeli tanks.  Food supplies were quickly
bought up and children were hurried home from schools.  Some found their way
to Jerusalem while all foreigners were told by Israel to leave Palestine.
Thirty International Observers from Italy, Switzerland and France have chosen
to stay with the people of Ramallah, in a show of solidarity.

       For the third time in as many months, Israeli Military forces have
occupied the Arab Evangelical Home and School.  Yesterday, in anticipation of
this act, all children were sent from the Home.  As anticipated, at 7:30 this
morning Israeli Soldiers arrived and claimed the Home as theirs.  Ten sisters
and lay staff remain on the premises and were ordered to move to another
building.

       The Rev. George Al Kopti, Rector of St. Andrewbs Episcopal Church in
Ramallah remains in his home at the Church compound, afraid for his safety on
the streets.  The sounds of gunfire consistently fill the air.

       Please keep the people of the Evangelical Home and School, The people
of St. Andrewbs Episcopal Church, the people of Ramallah and all those in
this Land in your prayers as you remember the first Good Friday.

       Yet, the unquiet heart in each peace loving Child of God will keep us
going.  We continue to hope, pray, work and look forward to transforming the
present reality of death and great suffering, to a more pleasant future; one
that respects the noble qualities of humanity.  Once we break with the old
and come to terms with the new, the world at large will celebrate a Holy
Resurrection indeed.

       In spite of the pain and suffering of Good Friday two thousand years
ago, as well as today, we continue to believe that good will overcome evil
and peace will prevail over war.

In Christ,
+ The Rt. Rev. Riah Abu El-Assal
Anglican Bishop of Jereusalem