Internationals Attempt to deliver bread to Church of Nativity
by Allyn et Holly Dhynes in Bethlehem
April 18, 2002
We went to the Alternative Information Center in Beit Jala to make signs to take with us on the march today.
The goal of the march was to take food to the people stuck inside manger square. There are far fewer gunman than the
200 hundred reported regularly in our media. A lot more civilians (some children) and church staff. We made signs
such as "Follow your conscience not Orders" and "USA, United We stand for Humanity" among others. It was
organized by the International Solidarity Movement.
Bullets picked up along the march route, 4/18/02 (Dhynes)
As we walked into
Bethlehem it was deserted because of curfew with occasional APC's [armored
personnel carriers (i.e. tanks)] rumbling by. We were fortunate to have a lot of
media coverage so we felt safe as far as Israeli soldiers being under the
microscope.
We walked up past the Star Hotel and as we walked into the alley way we saw destroyed cars in this narrow shop-lined alleyway that has been under perpetual curfew since the siege began. I was walking over debris of glass and M16 and AK47 shell
casings. People were peering from windows in curiosity. We
didn't quite get to the end of the alley way when we were met by
soldiers. They were a wall meant to block us from going further.
What ensued was a stand-off highlighted by trying to push our way forward and the soldiers pushing us back. So then we sat for about an hour.
With Ann Montgomery, an
amazing 70 year old full timer from CPT and a Danish parliamentarian trying to
rationalize that
all we were wanting to do was give food to the starving people in the church.
I talked to soldiers remembering their humanity. I delivered food to people in houses around there and heard their heart-wrenching stories and asked that the Israeli soldiers be merciful and see the humanity of the people there.
The Palestinians stories were about starving, dodging bullets flying into their houses and having God as their only hope. I told them I would relay their stories back home. I was able to give a few interviews and we made CNN and other international news.
Apparently Fox news tonight will have us on. Keep an eye out.
[NOTE
from friend: Allyn asked for prayer about communicating clearly what they see
and stamina to do the work and keep their journals about it each day as well.
I am also including pictures that one of the team members took during the march.
Also, there is an article from Independent Media Center about the action.
I've included it below.]
Independent Media Center, Jerusalem
April 18,2002: Today, 30 internationals from the International Solidarity Movement, Christian Peacemaker
Teams and Fellowship of Reconciliation attempted to take food and medical supplies to the area around the Church of
the Nativity.
After reaching the area which has been kept under permanent curfew, along Paul VI street near the Syrian Orthodox Church, the internationals were stopped by Israeli soldiers.
Despite negotiations, and assurances that we were peaceful and only wanted to deliver food, we were prevented from
moving further. All the internationals then sat down in the narrow street whilst the negotiators continued to point out
that the Israeli army is breaking international human rights law in refusing medical care and food to civilians
trapped in their homes. After 40 minutes we decided to withdraw in order to allow people back along the road to go
out while curfew was lifted, and the food we were carrying was distributed to families living in the area.
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