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The Burlington Free Press - It's My Turn - December 26, 2002

Palestinian spirits low

By Sister Miriam Ward

Daily I receive messages of desperation and pleas from Palestinians in Bethlehem. For the entire month of December thousands of Palestinians have been under a strict military lock-down, virtual prisoners in their homes.

Muslims could not celebrate their feast of Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadanwhile Christians have not been allowed to attend Mass during Advent in preparation for Christmas.

It is not "the decorations but food" that worries the mayor. It is the "arbitrary slow torture that is wearing" complains a professor. Bethlehem University held 15-minute classes during one lifting of the curfew and planned another of 30-minute classes only to have the curfew reimposed cutting two hours off the stated time.

It is not the decorations but food that worries the mayor. It is the “arbitrary slow torture that is wearing,” complains a professor. Bethlehem University held 15-minute classes during one lifting of the curfew and planned another of 30-minute classes only to have the curfew reimposed, cutting two hours off the stated time.

Susan Atalah, (M.A., St. Michael’s College) describes her students at St. Joseph’s High School as “angry, feeling old, and depressed” as they try to schedule exams in the few hours when curfew is lifted.

Brother Neil, an American teaching at Bethlehem University for 12 years, urges Americans to be better informed and to realize their responsibility for financing the policies of Israel. He calls attention to the policy of the Israeli government which, “using the guise of responding to terrorism (for which its occupation is responsible) to piece by piece take-over of the entire Palestinian territory, new settlement by new settlement, new road by new road, house by house, olive grove by olive grove until the entire land has been incorporated into Israel.”

While many Americans romanticize Bethlehem in singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" the reality for Palestinians is bleak. Christians are not certainwhether an Occupying Army will allow them out of their homes for Midnight Mass. There is plenty of room at the inn, but tourists are not allowed.

Hotels are empty. Bethlehem is a "closed military area." People are spiritually and physically hungry and desperate.

Sister Miriam Ward
Burlington, VT