Coloradan among peace activists in Israel
By Nick Groke
Special to The Denver Post
Monday, April 01, 2002 - Colorado native Nancy Stohlman spent Easter day in a Palestinian refugee camp near Bethlehem. And before going to bed early this morning, the 28-year-old Stohlman was preparing for an invasion.
"Today was difficult," Stohlman said in by telephone from the Aida refugee camp. "We are all tensely waiting."
Two suicide bombers killed at least 15 people Sunday in Israel. More than 40 Israelis have been killed in terror attacks since the Passover holiday began Wednesday, according to, The Associated Press.
Stohlman said she traveled to Aida with more than 500 people from around the world to work for a peaceful resolution between Israel and the Palestinians. She is with two others from the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace, which is lobbying for Israel to withdraw from the West Bank. About 4 million Palestinian refugees reside in the West Bank.
Stohlman said her reasons for trekking to the region are twofold: to act as a human shield for Palestinians and to operate as a witness to the continuing violence.
Events were being watched closely by many in Denver as well.
Rabbi Steven Foster of Temple Emanuel in Denver said that violence in the West Bank, during Passover or on Easter, is always hard to stomach.
"I just feel a profound sense of sadness," Foster said. "It's very complex. There's terrorism, then revenge, then revenge for the revenge."
"It's going to take some time" to find peace, Foster said. "I hope there are cooler heads that prevail."
Tanks surrounded Aida on Sunday in preparation for an invasion of the refugee camp, Stohlman said. In turn, Stohlman and the other Americans gave the U.S. Embassy a list of passport numbers in case they are killed.
"I don't know that anybody can be fully prepared," Stohlman said. "I'm proud to be one of the Americans here. It's important for everyone to recognize the violence and visualize peace."
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