Coloradans in West Bank: Contingent Opposing Israeli Occupation of West Bank

By Tad Rickman

Denver Daily News

April 1, 2002

BETHELEHM: Despite the danger surrounding the Middle East, two Coloradans are in a refugee camp in Bethlehem to promote an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.

Nancy Stohlman and Gary Anderson, both of Denver and with Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace, arrived in Bethlehem last Thursday, and are members of approximately 500 people from around the world participating in nonviolent confrontations to the Israeli occupation.

Recently, the United States and other countries have been working on a cease-fire to the continued bloodshed between the Israelis and Palestinians. A Saudi peace plan being debated proposes an end to the violence and recognition of Israel by the Arab world in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank.

However, two suicide bombings this past weekend killing 17 Israelis has prompted Ariel Sharon to launch an invasion of the West Bank, threatening the peace process.

Stohlman said yesterday from the Deheishe Refugee Camp that so far things have been peaceful but believes an Israeli attack is imminent.

“When we came here, we didn’t realize things would be so turbulent,” she said.

However, Stohlman said, a call for peace amongst the violence might be just what the situation needs.

“I can’t think of a better time for us to be here,” she said.

Since they have been there, Stohlman said, the group tried to act as human shields against the Israeli Defense Force firing at Red Crescent ambulances by traveling with the ambulances. However, the Israeli army has surrounded Bethlehem, making that impossible.

The group then visited the Deheishe Refugee Camp and offered solidarity with the Palestinians.

Stohlman said she intends to stay about two weeks. She is optimistic there may be a peaceful resolution to the crisis, but is more occupied with immediate concerns, such as keeping the Palestinians safe and making sure all the nations the protestors’ represent know they are there and why they are there.

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