wfn.org | Bethlehem's Christmas Lutheran Church Attacked by Israeli Military

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For information contact:
BISHOP DR. MUNIB A. YOUNAN
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan (ELCJ).
The ELCJ has its headquarters in Jerusalem and is working in 
Jerusalem, Palestine, Jordan and Israel.
Contact Rev. Gustaf Odquist call +972-50-388976 or +972-67-255733.  
or Rev. Dr. Mary E. Jensen, Communications Assistant to Bishop Younan

JERUSALEM, April 2, 2002, 12 noon--The Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church, 
the pastor's home and the church's International Center in Bethlehem have 
been hit by shelling from Israeli tanks and soldiers today, April 2, 2002, at 
about 9:00 am, Palestinian time.  

Rev. Mitri Raheb, pastor of the church, reports that the Israeli tanks 
entered the Old City of Bethlehem at 3:30 am today.  Tanks were also 
positioned in a circle around the Old City. The shelling began at 6:30 am.  
The heaviest gunfire and fighting is taking place now in the Old City, from 
Manger Square to the Christmas Church compound.

Rev. Raheb reports that tanks have destroyed the first floor entrance to his 
home and also have destroyed the garage doors.  The family is living on the 
second level of the building and fears that they will be invaded.  The tanks 
and soldiers are stationed immediately outside the church and parsonage.  At 
10:10 the electricity was lost in the church and parsonage.

Also, Rev. Raheb reports that they have heard much glass breaking, both in 
the church and in the offices.  Although they cannot go to see the damage 
yet, it seems that at least some of the 110 year old stained glass windows 
have been destroyed.

The parsonage has tanks on both side of it, so the tank fire is deafening and 
shakes all the buildings.  Rev. Raheb has been making telephone calls to 
members of the congregation, one-fourth of whom live in the Old City.  To 
date no one has been injured, but all are terrified of the fighting and 
invasion.

According to the Fourth Geneva Conventions, places of worship and churches 
should never be assaulted.

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