DAY 8: Eyewitness Accounts of Israeli Invasion...Red Crescent Stops Services...

DAY 8: Eyewitness Accounts of Israeli Invasion...Red Crescent Cuts Back Services...

Ayda refugee camp near Bethlehem: the results of an IDF battering ram on a person's home. (Photo: Paul Larudee)

Friday, April 5 2002

Some international people have been evacuated from Bethlehem. A majority of us remain. We are eighteen activists with the International Solidarity Movement, staying in the Al-Azza refugee camp in Bethlehem. We are from the UK, US, Ireland and Canada. Two of us are Jewish and one Palestinian. Electricity has just been restored and we are taking the opportunity to send out this message.

Bethlehem has been re-occupied by the Israeli armed forces and its people are under brutal siege. Everyone in the Al-Azza camp is unable to leave its perimeters to go engage in other activities that most people take for granted. There is one road that divides the camp, and we must dash across in fear of being shot at by Israeli snipers. On our first night here (just prior to the current re-occupation) our members narrowly escaped being killed as Israeli bullets whizzed past us.

This is the fourth time in seventeen months that the Israeli military has re-occupied Bethlehem. They have cut the power lines like they always do. This left every home in darkenss and in an information black-out, unable to find out what is happening beyond what we can see at the end of the street. All we can do is sit and listen to the sounds around us: F-16 jets, Apache helicopters, drone aircraft, tanks and armored personnel carriers. Indeed, the entire military might of a modern army -- and we know it could be turned against this camp at any time, as it has in the past.

Even in our fear we recognize that, for us, it is only a brief and temporary experience. Those who live here have endured attacks like this time and again during the four decades of Israeli military dictatorship. Likewise, we are aware that the situation in Bethlehem may only be the beginning, if the destruction of Ramallah is any indication. At least thirty people have been executed and buried in a mass grave; Red Crescent ambulances have been fired upon and the buildings bombed. Yesterday the Israeli soldiers lifted the curfew in Ramallah, but when people left their homes to get food, seven were shot.

We also have had a two hour respite from curfew, though it could not be trusted. We tried to escort an ambulance to provide food and medical attention to the many families trapped inside the Church of the Nativity. There, in the center of Bethlehem, the Israeli military has killed one member of the clergy, injured several others, and has now surrounded the church with around two hundred people inside. Two ambulances were crushed by a tank, and we believe the death toll in Bethlehem to be around twenty. All this has taken place within a closed military zone, with the Israeli forces having complete control over where the media are allowed to go. They have gone as far as taking shots at Arab and international press.

We see these horrors being inflicted knowing full well that our countries, especially the US, have sent the weapons and money, and provide the international backing (tacit or overt) that makes this brutality possible. Today, with the television back on, we watch demonstrations all over the world by people urging their governments to end this illegal occupation. We desperately hope they are listening, because time is running out ...

Signed,
Jake Mundy - Maia Ramnath - Liv Dillon
Phan Nguyen - Paul Stockley - Joe Gessert
Phil Boast - Jordan Flaherty
James Kirkham - Zaid Khalil
Kevin Neish - Herbert Steven Quester
John McSweeney - Kristen Schurr
Josina Manu - Martha Andrewes
Jenny McArthur - Loukas Christodoulous

A group of about 30 Italians, 15 French & Swiss, a couple Americans and random European corporate media have been holed up in Ibda'a social center for a few days now, because Bethlehem is a closed military zone with a 24-hour curfew. Since the new invasion of Bethlehem began a few days ago, the streets outside of Ibda'a have been a total warzone. Palestinian shebab have been using kerosene bombs in the streets, buried under trash. As IDF APCs and tanks roll by, they shoot from 100 yards away to explode the bombs. Therefore, the sound of very close automatic gunfire has been heard almost 24 hours a day at Deheishe, as well as huge explosions. In addition, errant gunshots have hit the building and gone through windows and walls. As well, at least one IDF sniper has targeted journalists who were filming from inside Deheishe. This morning, a woman was rushed to the UN Clinic next door after a bullet came into her bedroom window, hitting her bed and showering her face with broken glass. In the past two days, there have been about 15 sniper incidents like this.

The group had been negotiating an embassy-escorted departure from Deheishe to Jerusalem. They tried to negotiate that (1) Red Cross ambulances take part in the "humanitarian corridor" and (2) there would be no IDF escort to accompany them, in solidarity with the Palestinians, to whom the IDF tanks represent death and oppression.

After an intense attack by IDF which included detonating a kerosene bomb, the international caravan arrived. It was comprised of at least 10 international diplomatic bulletproof vehicles, as well as armored corporate media vehicles. A French television station was on the scene. The internationals were gathered outside, tearfully saying goodbye to their new Palestinian friends. Also, they were in negotiation with the delegation to meet the aforementioned conditions for their departure.

Suddenly, we saw APCs and tanks rolling down the street. And then the deafening sound of automatic gunfire came, and we realized that IDF was firing upon us and the diplomatic caravan. Many people ran for the diplomatic cars (which are bulletproof). Others ran back into Ibda'a, as the sound of bullets whizzed past our ears. The Palestinians sprinted back into the safety of Deheishe camp.

The people who ran into Ibda'a hit the floor as the firing continued. The dipomatic caravan sped off down Hebron Road. When the shooting subsided a bit, a few of us ran out into a Palestinian media vehicle and sped down Hebron Road away from Deheishe. We didn't know if IDF would keep firing on us or not, so we sped away quickly. Several members of the international delegation were left at Ibda'a. At this point we do not know their condition, and hope to send a car to pick them up and bring them to a safe location.

We do not know why IDF opened fire on an international diplomatic delegation which they were aware of and in co-ordination with. We can only assume it was to scare people into leaving, to terrorize the Palestinians, and in general to get back at the internationals who have embarrassed them so thoroughly during this latest invasion. All we know is that terrorism is most commonly found in the practices of tyrannical state entities, and not in the actions of desperate people in the streets.

Israeli Occupation Forces chase journalists away from the scene of siege at Manger Square in Bethlehem (photos: Paul Larudee).

An emergency medical ambulance team delivered a Palestinian man with gunshot wounds to the emergency ward of al-Husayn Hospital after a humiliating and frightening experience. The ambulance driver and attendant were detained at gunpoint for three hours with their hands tied behind their backs and guns to their heads before being warned not try to save anyone else and allowed to retrieve the wounded man and return to the hospital.

Azza camp: a local car attempted to turn around and drive away when confronted by an armoured personnel carrier. The vehicle received heavy fire which knocked out all windows. A casualty is reported but unconfirmed. Medics have been able to get into the area but are currently being interrrogated and harassed by six soldiers as five international civilains observe the unfolding situation. Ground troops are conducting a search of the area and one soldier fired his rifle into the camp without provocation.

The IDF has repeatedly thwarted the delivery of humanitarian aid (food, water, medical supplies) to the besieged people of Bethlehem. Humanitarian organizations continue to try to respond to calls by Palestinians and foreign nationals in Bethlehem to no effect.

IMC Palestine, the local and international community of Palestine repeat our call for international civilians to come to Palestine and help end the violence and destruction of our communities. Please help us NOW!!

Media 19 has learned that the journalists who were believed to be trapped inside the press centre in Bethlehem Municipality were in fact arrested.
Statement from internationals in Azza Camp.

Witnesses on the ground in Bethlehem:
(for international dialing drop the 0 before the phone number)
English - Heather 00 972 (0) 67 270 398
English - Georgina 00 972 (0) 55 840 767/ 00 972 (0) 674 5459
English – IMC Palestine 00 972 (0) 2 277 7558
Arabic/English - Bilal 00 972 (0) 52 814 992
Italian - Francesca 00 39 3389 77 3899
There are French speakers available as well.

April 5, 2002: Palestinians and internationals on with hunger strike in Bethlehem
Direct Action for Justice in Palestine

International Solidarity Movement

Contact: Amanda (212) 541-4226, x241
Eric (917) 806-6452
Trish (212) 533-4702

For Immediate Release

On the left, Palestinian children's decorations. On the right, Israeli decorations (Photo: Paul Larudee).
Palestinian Children in Refugee Camp

Palestinians and internationals on with hunger strike in Bethlehem

The following message was received today by the International Solidarity Movement in New York from the ISM activists in Bethlehem:

"We are the 19 international civilians currently living in Al-Azza (Beit Jebrin) refugee camp in occupied Bethlehem, Palestine. For 24 hours beginning on April 6, we will join the youth of the camp in a hunger strike in solidarity with the people in the besieged Church of the Nativity.

"Right now, about 250 clergy and civilians and a handful of unarmed resistance fighters are trapped inside the church, about a kilometer from where we are. The Israeli Defense Force, armed with tanks, armored personnel carriers, Apache helicopters, and all the accoutrements of one of the world's most powerful military forces is laying siege to the church. The people inside, a number of whom are injured, are being denied access to medical attention, food, and water. People will die if the siege is not lifted. The Geneva accords and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Israel is a signatory, demand that food and medical attention not be blocked by military force. The ancient right of sanctuary in a place of worship is recognized by both the Christian and Jewish faiths. The siege contravenes any basic standard of human decency.

"The people under siege are Bethlehemites in their own city, in their own church. The Israeli army is an occupation force. Bethlehem is not an Israeli city. The siege is not a defense operation, does not enhance Israeli security, and is not an action against terrorism. It is a war crime."

###

This document serves as an update to the Appeal sent on March 30 from members of the international and Palestinian community trapped in the siege of Ramallah. All aspects of the general situation described in that document still prevail (the original appeal is online at http://www.oznik.com), and what follows are only some of the more recent developments. This document focuses on the situation in Ramallah only, as we have been unable to collect any systematic information from other occupied Palestinian cities (six now, in addition to numerous villages). However, reports we are receiving from friends and colleagues in these places indicate a similar situation to the one in Ramallah --and in some of the more isolated areas the level of Israeli violence seems to be even higher, due to the lack of media coverage and international presence.

Background: On early Friday morning, 29 March 2002, tens of thousands of Israeli troops re-invaded the city of Ramallah in tanks and armored personnel carriers and remain to this time. The Israeli forces continue to occupy Ramallah completely. President Arafat is besieged in his own compound with dwindling food and medical supplies. There are no indications when the re-occupation will be over.

Continued Curfew: All of Ramallah?s 250,000 inhabitants remain under 24-hour curfew. They are under the threat of being shot on sight should they leave their homes for any reason. Tuesday morning, for example, a woman who left her home to take her young son to the hospital was shot dead in her car by an Israeli sniper. On Wednesday, a number of foreigners in Al-Bireh were shot at even though they were announcing via megaphone that they were unarmed and trying to get supplies from their office. These are only two examples of many.

Ambulances, doctors and humanitarian agencies are still unable to move. Wounded are need of medical attention. Doctors have been asked to remove many bodies from downtown buildings, but they cannot reach the buildings due to tank positions and continued firing. The bodies have been decomposing and there is fear of an epidemic breaking out. There is no current capacity to respond to an outbreak if it occurs.

Tuesday afternoon, after five and a half days of total curfew during which the population could not leave their homes to obtain food, water or any needed medical supplies or treatment, the Israeli forces announced a lifting of the curfew in some areas for two hours to allow a few shops to open so that people could get provisions. Due to the demand, the shops that did manage to open had to ration their goods to a limited amount per family. The announcement of the lifting of the curfew was made in some areas while in others people left their homes at their own risk. As people ventured into the streets, however, Israeli snipers continued to open fire, terrifying those in the streets and causing injuries. We managed to confirm two injuries, one a 14-year old boy who is still in hospital. There are unconfirmed reports of others, but it is impossible to receive a comprehensive idea of events in the current situation. The curfew was re-imposed at 6:00pm, now for an indefinite period of time.

The Israeli army informed diplomatic missions that internationals in Ramallah would be allowed to leave the city through the two checkpoints during this two hour period: Qalandia and the DCO. However, individuals were expected to make their own way to the checkpoints. A miniscule number managed to evacuate, as many do not have cars (either because they do not own cars or because their cars were destroyed by Israeli tanks on the streets). Even those with cars did not feel at all safe attempting to travel under continued gunfire. In fact, anyone reaching a checkpoint came under direct Israeli fire. For this reason, and for reasons of solidarity, most of Ramallah?s international community remains in the city.

Terrorisation of the Population: Ramallah is constantly filled with the sounds of heavy caliber gunfire, tank shell explosions and helicopter gunships circling above, even when the general situation is calm and there is no Palestinian resistance. This is taking a heavy toll everyone?s nerves, and children are particularly affected. All families live under the constant fear of having their homes invaded (or re-invaded) by Israeli troops.

Early morning Tuesday, the Israeli forces started an offensive against the Preventive Security headquarters, with 400 desperate and terrified policemen, women and children inside. The non-stop, intense attack involved the use of Apache helicopters and tanks from about 1:30 am throughout the morning, and sporadically until noon. The sounds of non-stop helicopter machinegun and pounding rocket fire, as well as repeated tank shells could be heard all around Ramallah for the entire night. In areas throughout Ramallah, windows and mirrors continued to shake during the onslaught. Residents in the Beit Hanina neighborhood in Jerusalem also couldn?t sleep from the sounds of the intensity of the attack. The electricity was cut off in some neighborhoods, making it difficult for residents to know where the attacks were occurring, creating a sense of panic.

Shortage of Water Supplies: The water situation in Ramallah has become dire. The water supply to Ramallah Hospital has been completely cut off. Some areas of the city have also lost their water supply and residents are forced to collect rainwater. This is extremely dangerous to the public health situation, as safe drinking water becomes unavailable and general hygiene deteriorates.

The four water pumps in the Beitunia area (responsible for providing water for a large part of Ramallah) were severely damaged in the shelling and the subsequent Israeli occupation of the pumping station. Two of the water pumps can be fixed. The other two pumps are thoroughly damaged and cannot be fixed without spare parts. Needless to say, such spare parts are not available.

The water company repair teams are not allowed free access to the pumps. In some instances, these teams have been shot at by the occupying forces. The teams have been able to gain some access when accompanied by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) personnel. The ICRC, however, are understaffed.

Even if the pumps are repaired, the water pipe network has been extensively damaged in the bombing and also needs repairs. The water company is attempting to fix some, but its staff regularly comes under Israeli fire.

Lack of Electricity: Of the nine electricity-feeding stations in Ramallah, six are inoperative. Attempts to fix the damaged ones are facing the same constraints as the efforts to fix the water infrastructure ? i.e., any attempt by workers to repair the damage is met by Israeli gunfire

In addition, a large number of electrical poles are damaged, and are inaccessible to repair crews due to the curfew.

Israeli Forces Using Human Shields: Israeli soldiers are still occupying a large number of private residences and detaining the residents (often in large numbers) collectively in single rooms. This includes foreign nationals. Often these detainees are not allowed to speak to each other for periods of hours or days. We also have confirmed reports of Palestinian children being forced to stand in the windows of their homes to protect the Israeli intruders from any possible Palestinian sniper fire.

A doctor at the Arabcare Medical Hospital was held at gunpoint in front of Israeli soldiers as they searched the hospital on three separate occasions. When the doctor asked them not to contaminate the surgery, he was physically roughed-up.

Some 60 civilians were arrested Tuesday night and were to be used during the attack on the Preventive Security headquarters. The civilians were put in front of the Israeli forces to prevent the Palestinians from shooting back at the advancing tanks, until they were finally removed and detained in a single room.

No Access to the City: Diplomatic missions are being barred daily from entering Ramallah. An EU convoy composed of Consul-Generals was turned back on Tuesday.

A UN convoy carrying medical and food supplies to the Ramallah Hospital was repeatedly fired on by Israeli forces and one UN staff member was arrested and is still detained. Fortunately, the convoy managed to get through. However, no other international relief efforts have been allowed passage into the city.

Food Resources Limited: During the lifting of the curfew on Tuesday, only a small number of shops could open. It was not possible to move from one area of town to another as tanks were stationed on main roads and intersections, and many shopkeepers could not open their shops. Some of the shops were looted by Israeli soldiers and were out of many supplies. There were long queues in front of shops that could open, and some basic provisions ran out. As a result, there remains a large shortage of basic provisions, especially for infants.

Even if the curfew is lifted again, provisions in shops are now limited or non-existent since they are not being allowed to be replenished. No food supplies have been allowed to enter the city.

Prisoners Being Taken: Israeli forces continue taking Palestinians prisoner in house-to-house attacks and collective roundups. All males between the ages of 16 and 40 are subject to arrest for no reason other than their age and sex. Until Monday night, the number of prisoners was 700 according to Israeli figures. It is impossible to ascertain the exact number. The ICRC still does not have access to these prisoners to ensure adherence to international law, and specifically the Geneva Conventions. Reports indicate that these prisoners are being held in deplorable conditions.

Some prisoners are being released. They are being dropped either at the center of Ramallah or at distant checkpoints, and are expected to make their own way to their homes under the curfew and the shoot-on-sight policy. Many are forced to take refuge in abandoned buildings where they have no provisions, or among families in these neighborhoods, where they have to share these families already meager supplies.

Arrests have also targeted medical and relief workers. We have confirmed reports of five medical workers arrested from the Palestinian Red Crescent hospital, as well as a human rights worker from the al-Haq organization. As of writing this update, we have seen armored personnel carriers approaching the Red Crescent headquarters, heard explosions and now are hearing reports that it is being raided.

Gratuitous Vandalism and Destruction: There are numerous reports of soldiers stealing from residents and gratuitously destroying property. In one such confirmed instance, soldiers stole gold from a family?s apartment, took 400 shekels (approx. $100) and destroyed packaged food and furniture. Another confirmed report involved a group of Israeli soldiers occupying the apartment of a lone female resident ? they ransacked the premises, harassed her verbally, helped themselves to her dwindling food supply and crushed her car with their tank when leaving.

There are a number of reports of soldiers making sexually inappropriate comments to Palestinian and foreign women during houseraids and when driving by to enforce curfews.

Disproportionate and Unnecessary Use of Violence: Israeli tank shells and machine-gun fire continue to be heard constantly throughout Ramallah, even though there is generally little or no Palestinian resistance.

Explosives are being used to knock down doors, and anti-aircraft guns have been repeatedly used against buildings with people inside.
???.

We, the besieged people of Ramallah, continue to appeal to all people of good conscience around the world to mobilize immediately and not allow the continuation of the siege to breed complacency.

We appeal to the people of Israel, in whose name these actions are being taken, to make their voices heard. This is the time for you to tell Palestinians that they still have partners for peace. Your silence now is the death warrant for the prospects of peace.

We urgently appeal for food and drinking water, and for the general access of all humanitarian agencies. The situation is on the verge of a humanitarian disaster.

We appeal for the safety of all individuals.

We appeal for the immediate and total withdrawal of the occupying forces from all Palestinian towns and villages.

We appeal for medical supplies and access to medical treatment, electricity, water, phone lines and other necessary facilities.

We appeal for freedom of movement within the city and outside access to the city.

We appeal for the immediate end to vandalism, looting, humiliation, and gratuitous violence and destruction.

We appeal for access of humanitarian agencies, including the ICRC, to all detainees, prisoners and hostages, including Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, to ensure their well-being.

WE APPEAL FOR THE SIEGE TO BE LIFTED.

This appeal has been made to you by Palestinians, as well as nationals of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jordan and other nationalities.

Due to fear of retribution, the names and contact information of those authoring this appeal have not been included. For their contact information, please contact Michael (972-52-266-208).

International Committee of the Red Cross: Jer. (972-2) 582-8845, Tel Aviv (972-3) 524-5286

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA): (972-2) 589-04

American citizen Karen Wheeler and British national Dan Glazebrook were forcibly taken off a UPMRC ambulance one hour ago. They were arrested and taken to the Beit El military compound, the British embassy confirmed. Internationals began riding ambulances in an effort to get medical aid to the dying and injured. Palestinian civilians and medics incur even more danger on the ambulances because the IDF punishment is so severe therefore the international civilians have been attempting to provide medical assistance to the Palestinians under siege. The internationals are facing deportation. Buildings around the UPMRC have been destroyed and a clinic has been torn apart and all of the files stolen. Currently there are seven, brave Israeli women volunteering at the UPMRC.

3:30pm: US Envoy Zinni Meets with Arafat, Refused Letter from Internationals

President Arafat is currently meeting with the American envoy Anthony Zinni. When he arrived, flanked by 3 armed federal agents, he refused to accept a letter that the international delegation inside the compound attempted to present to him. A Red Cross delegation met with President Arafat prior to Zinni's arrival.

Nine international civilians left the Presidential compound today in one of two Red Crescent ambulances that had been permitted by the Israeli soldiers, who inspect the ambulances and decide what they will allow in, to deliver food aid but no medical.

The agreement made between the Israeli army and the French consulate was that a French man suffering from a possible heart attack was to be evacuated with his wife, six other French nationals and one German woman. They were to be driven to Calandia checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem where they would be met by their respective consuls.

To this point, 3am April 05, no one in the compound, nor the embassies, have heard from the delegates. The Red Crescent office reports that the ambulance drivers have not checked in either. IMC Palestine has received a post looking for these people.

Currently there are three ambulances that have been damaged by the occupation forces sitting in the courtyard of the Presidential compound. Local reports state that IDF soldiers have used the ambulances to drive into the refugee camps.

In the village of Atara near Bir Zeit University a 60 year old man, named Sari, who was very ill and was trying to reach the hospital was prevented by IDF soldiers and subsequently died in the street.

Nablus has been under fierce attack by helicopter gunships since the early hours of this morning. The attack is centered on the old city. Currently, it is impossible to determine the extent of dead and injured however the reports indicate the toll will be high.

Palestinians looks at a house April 5, 2002 which was destroyed by Israeli troops as they entered the West Bank city of Hebron. Twenty-five Palestinians have been killed in one of the bloodiest days since Israel began a military offensive in the West Bank, despite President George W. Bush's call for Israeli forces to withdraw. Any faint hopes raised by Bush's demand and a meeting between U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni and besieged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Friday were dashed by the heavy death toll in Palestinian cities and refugee camps on the West Bank. (Loay Abu Haykel/Reuters)

A mother and her 5 month old baby are outside the Watni hospital in Nablus. The baby has pneumonia, and they are being prevented from entering the hospital by Israeli troops. The baby is dying in the street.

The old city of Nablus, occupied exclusively by families, continues to be heavily shelled by tanks and helicopter gunships as the IDF prepares to storm the streets of the old city. Eleven casualties have been reported in Nablus since last night.

They have just begun firing on Balata refugee camp with, American made, Apache helicopters. It is being reported that there are many casualties and deaths but still there is no medical help available.

In Nablus a woman died when the Occupation forces shelled her home. Her name was Zaha Sartech, age 30. Mahmoud Alul, governor of Nablus, has had his home taken over by Occupation soldiers and it has been destroyed on the inside in typical IDF fashion.

In the old city of Nablus the resistance is strong and, as of two hours ago, had successfully disabled 8 tanks and is keeping the Israeli military at bay around the perimeter of the old city. Unfortunately the Occupation forces have carried in explosives to many peoples homes and have destroyed them. Many people have been injured and killed but it is difficult to know how many because the ambulances cannot get in.

Toine van Teeffelen

It is early in the morning, the third day of the occupation. Should I say: "good morning" to the family? I take a walk of fifteen meters to peep through a gate. The tank at the university hill is still there. On the roof of a nearby doctor's home Israeli sharpshooters have taken position. I quickly go back. Yesterday Jara, my daughter of four, warned me that a tank would shoot me if I would bring the garbage bags to the street. We are effectively closed up. While there is no curfew, nobody
leaves home. We are in a closed military zone. Once in a while one or more tanks drive by with intimidating noise, some of them with an Israeli flag on top. As if any misunderstanding would be possible. Only once we heard the sound of an ambulance which by exception was allowed to pass.

We are here with six people in the home of my family in law. My Palestinian wife Mary, our daughter of four Jara, newly-born baby boy Tamer, Mary's sister Jeanet and their mother. We were highly fortunate that Tamer (his name means 'holder of dates', or symbolically, holder of life) was born a few days before the beginning of the occupation. At present no medical help can reach any house in Bethlehem. Mary timely went back home from the hospital. With more pain than normal we read
about the baby who died during delivery in the first day of the occupation because the mother was not allowed to reach a hospital.

We chose to withdraw to my family in law's to support each other better and also because our own house, a few hundred meters away, is opposite 'Azza refugee camp and could be searched for armed men. Not that there is no chance that soldiers would search the home where we stay. At the nearby university, the Brothers' sleeping rooms were searched and the cafetaria occupied. Also the Freres School's premises, where I am involved in an educational project for Moslem-Christian living together, have been invaded and occupied; we don't know for how long. Near the educational institute where I advise, the little shops and houses
coloured in dark green for the occasion of the Bethlehem 2000 festivities, have been severely damaged by soldiers. The tanks demolished several cars in the street which now resembles a war zone.

The first day of the occupation, Tuesday, went on without electricity. During the evening we lit candles and went to sleep early. In the dark I tell Jara children's stories, about the jungle and dangerous animals. Like Tarzan, she jumps from the bed into my arms, stretched like tree branches. I am surprised how well she copes with the situation. She makes drawings which look as if they come from a dream country: nice peaceful houses with birds, and dancing children. She more or less knows what is happening and has her nicknames for Sharon but does not yet feel how extraordinarily the situation is in which we live. "We have many tanks here, do you have them too?" she lightly asks Mary's sister who calls from Paris. While I slowly sing love songs for Tamer, the most beautiful baby in the world, Jara breaks the spell, points to the window and asks, "Is this the sound of a tank?"

***
At the moment we manage with the supplies. Unlike in other parts of Bethlehem, we have electricity, and also telephone lines, water and enough food. There had been a rush on supermarkets and vegetable shops before the invasion, and during the last days no fresh fruit and vegetables had been available. We have enough food for at least a week. Other areas of Bethlehem are without phone and/or electricity; in 'Azza, Aida and Dheisha camp there is no water and electricity. In Ramallah the water supply for over 100.000 people has been cut off, the Internet tells us. Can we expect that too? Nobody knows. At least we bought in
enough mineral water for the baby. There is also enough paper for Jara's drawings. I keep my beard because of lack of shavers but that is not a big deal. How long will the beard grow?

Many people are not just locked up in their house but also stay in a kind of safe room like a kitchen or bathroom. Suzy, a colleague who lives not far from the Church of Nativity area, says that she and her family are without electricity but even when there is electricity she cannot enter her own room because it is unsafe. She and her family stay in the bathroom and kitchen and are listening through the window to the shouting of soldiers in nearby streets. If the soldiers are close, their
house may be searched. Then they have to go very quickly to the door because if the door stays closed the soldiers may simply blow it up.

At least we have enough space and I arrange a corner in the bedroom of my family in law for the computer brought from our house. As a coordinator of United Civilians for Peace, a Dutch initiative for civilian observers in the area, I cannot easily work without computer and Internet.

Several of Mary's family are involved in municipal affairs. The city hall is taken over by the Israelis and staff is kept in one room. A cousin leads relief efforts in the Church of Nativity where still over 100 people are locked up (it is unclear whether they are armed, something which is denied by church authorities) who need food which is scarce. Several wounded in the church stay without treatment. One may assume that there are lots of people in Bethlehem devoid of proper medical care. Two ambulance cars were overrun by tanks in Wadi Ma'ale not far from the Church of Nativity. The Orthodox clinic in Beit Sahour, a major local medical center, was invaded today. A wounded patient was arrested and taken away, while according to local TV medical equipments were destroyed or damaged in the process. A particularly horrible circumstance is that people are not allowed to bury their deaths. We don't know the precise number of mortal victims over the last two days
but it must be close to or over ten.

One plan I discuss is to ask local teachers with email facilities at home to write diaries, collect them and send them abroad. Similar initiatives were taken in Ramallah. While locked up, at least we can try to have some kind of a collective voice towards an unforgivably paralyzed world.

(to be continued)

A long day that actually blends into the two before it so that I have trouble perceiving that I am actually living through any kind of discretely organized periods of time. This morning we attempted to coordinate a humanitarian aid (medicine, food, water) delivery to the beseiged Church of the Nativity with the IDF, which hadn't been letting ambulances through. I articulated diplomacy in negotiations with the District Command Officer, who promised to find a way to get an ambulance escorted by international civilians into the church and then began shelling it several minutes later.

The wounded have still not been evacuated, they may be dead by now. The way the scenario was reported in the mainstream media was especially disturbing. The IDF simply told all the news agencies that it would never attack the church that honors the place of Christ's birth, allowed no journalists to get close enough to find out what was really happening, and painted a picture of their difficult situation of having to deal with "Palestinian gunmen" sheltering themselves in a holy sanctuary. We have spoken with those trapped in the church. The large number of those present are civilains, contrary to an IDF statement that there are hundreds of "aggressors" inside.

There are about 50 priests and nuns tending to the wounded, not, as the IDF reports, being held hostage. And most importantly the "Palestinian gunmen" who are taking sanctuary in the church should, in my opinion (and this is obviously a minority opinion in the country where most of you will be reading this) should be recognized as men fighting for their lives, families and homes against a brutal colonizer--not criminals but the kind of people we would like ourselves to be if we were in their situation. Though my dad taught me to root for the underdog as a matter of good sportsmanship I think that my awareness of the way in which the United States and its media continues to vilify rather than honor Palestinian defense fighters also runs at historical and--now--experiential levels. [My colleague Heather has just informed me that the IDF shot the Church of Nativity's bell-ringer while he was ringing the bells.]

When I think about American history I think about the ways in which our own colonial brutality, most notably in reference to the Vietnamese, has never been measured very well against the way those we oppressed fought against us with their lives, for their lives. Until this week I can't ever remember thinking that we should erect a memorial to those Vietnamese who died while defending themselves against us. And this brings me to the experiential level, because only with the experiences that I've had this week could I ever have come to think that we MUST build such memorials. Can you imagine what would happen, what a beautiful wold-shaking vital event it would be if Israel announced it was going to build a memorial to the Palestinians who have spent the last 35 years fighting on thier land, for their land?

The prospect is far fetched. It is the vision of someone running on little sleep, with information overload, in a faraway place in which violence unfolds apolcalyptically, in methods that go far beyond mere military murder, around the birthplace of Jesus. Did you know that the IDF blew off the head of an 80 year-old man here? Robert Fisk began a piece today with the phrase: "Dead bodies rotting in Bethlehem..."

We went for a walk today. The military curfew was still on. I held my white T-shit in my right hand for all to see, a statement that says, "We surender, don't shoot." Bethlehem was a ghost town. Dozens of cars were crumpled in the margins of the streets, mauled by the tanks that also left distinguished bite marks in the ashalt. Someone had stolen all the manhole covers. Some of the crude Palestinian bombs..."Nine confirmed...," I hear Heather talking on the phone in the other room. I know what the number designates. We all do...As we walked through the streets littered with crushed phone booths and oil drums Heather pointed out where missiles had struck buildings during the last occupation just a few weeks ago. We ran into teams of journalists, wandering with flak jackets and helmets, vacuous. We picked up some food the British consulate had dropped for us at the hotel and had showers, heading back to the media center and being passed by two APCs along the way.

There is no end to my hatred for what the occupation does to the Palestinian people. It is a machine of war. It is murderous. It creates "terrorists" which create the opportunity to practice state war which creates more terrorists. It makes children want to blow themselves up. It allows anti-aircraft missiles to be used against homes and anti-tank missiles to be used against human beings. It allows the U.S. a partner in crime, another state to use the world's most advanced killing technologies, to violate international law with impunity, in order to end terrorism. Like all hegemonic narratives, the "war on terror" being waged by the U.S. and Israel becomes the opening to that which it seeks to supress. There is no greater terror than to be gunned down by an Apache helicopter in the alley of a refugee camp. What I can't possibly begin to understand is how a suicide bomber is considered a terrorist while an Israeli soldier killing a civilian is not. Furthermore, is an Israeli soldier entering Palesitinian territory and killing inocent civilians--as has happened over the last 35 years--not an even more dispicable and pitiable terorist than a young man who enters Israeli territory to kill inocent civilians, given the fact that the Israeli soldier has the privelege of his/her terror being sanctioned by a state that
systematically and functionally conscripts him/her as a terrorist.

All of these labels, these discourses, they are part of the violence, they prevent peace. They are all of our demons. This entirely convoluted piece which indeed reflects a lot of thinking on the issue--it is my contention thinking hard about something nearly always leads to convolution--is an attempt to answer the question a good friend posed to me in an e-mail today: What is the solution to the problem? To peace and a better solution...

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