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The Christian Science Monitor, January 10, 2003

US slouches toward Bethlehem

By Sister Miriam Ward

Regarding your Dec. 24article "A subdued Christmas in Bethlehem": Thank you for a poignant piece.

Mr. Piccard writes, “it is difficult to understand Mr. Hage’s outrage at the deaths of Palestinian civilians.” If we do not feel outrage at the deaths of innocent civilians, what are we? The kind of people would pour billions of dollars a year into the illegal military and civilian occupation of a nearly defenseless country?

The essays written by Susan Atallah's students reflect creativity and a constructive way on her part in dealing with the emotions of Palestinian children who witness death and destruction all around, and who suffer virtual house arrest for weeks at a time.

However, Capt. Jacob Dallal of the Israeli Defense Forces reacted absurdly.

Referring to what the Palestinians suffer as "inconvenience" compared to the terrorist attacks in Jerusalem completely overlooks the fact that the sustained brutal Israeli military occupation is the underlying cause of the attacks.

Palestinian children are murdered, arrested, and detained almost daily, and young men are tortured.Homes are demolished, and there is a 24-hour lock-down on Palestinians unable to go to work, school,or the hospital. All this as Jewish settlers move freely and expand settlements and roads on Palestinian land.

Double standard? It is apartheid. Americans, we are subsidizing this immoral racist situation.

Sister Miriam Ward
St. Michael's College
Burlington, VT