Posted on 12/20/2005 5:52:42 AM PST by SJackson
Pointing weapons at Palestinian police, they demand to be on gov't payroll.
Gunmen seized the rooftop of Bethlehem's city hall near Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity late Tuesday morning, and pointed their weapons at Palestinian police below, witnesses said.
The standoff came just four days before Christmas. The Church of the Nativity is one of Christianity's holiest shrines.
Hundreds of Palestinian police and onlookers rushed to Manger Square after the gunmen appeared on the roof of city hall.
After about an hour, the gunmen, associated with the ruling Fatah movement, met with the governor of Bethlehem, Salah Taameri, and then walked out of the building.
Taameri said he hoped to incident would not harm Christmas tourism. After five years of Israeli-Palestinian fighting, Bethlehem was hoping the number of pilgrims would reach 30,000 this year, nearly double the turnout in 2004.
Israel was planning to ease access to Bethlehem during the upcoming Christmas celebrations in a "calculated risk" intended to let Christian pilgrims worship the holiday freely in the West Bank town, security officials said Monday.
Taameri said Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas spoke to the gunmen by phone. Some of the armed men were members of the security forces and others belonged to the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a violent Fatah offshoot. The Al Aqsa gunmen demanded to be put on the government payroll, Taameri said.
Abbas "will take their demands into consideration," Taameri said.
Here we go again.
ML/NJ
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Abbas "will take their demands into consideration
Guess they're on the payroll.
Just out of curiosity, where did they take the roof after they seized it?
Wonder what would happen if Christian gunmen seized Mecca city hall in the run-up to a Muslim high holy day? Oh, sorry, no infidels allowed in Mecca. I guess that's just what Christians and Jews get for being tolerant of other faiths.
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What a great way to apply for a high-paying job in the police force!
It's free to the local taxpayers, too, because Uncle Sam and the Euros will pick up the tab for this most desirable addition to "security" in the Palestinian territories. Just tell us how much it costs, and we will increase our support immediately.
Gunmen seized the rooftop of Bethlehem's city hall near Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity late Tuesday morning, and pointed their weapons at Palestinian police below, witnesses said.
Obviously, this is what is know in Islamazi circles as a "Resume' Builder"! Makes them emminently qualified to be in an Islamazi, Jew-Hating Gub'Mint...look, they'll even draw down on OTHER PaleSimians!
I smell a new Arafag in the making!
I just got an inspiration for the perfect Christmas gift - the IDF moves into Bethlehem, cleans it out, and goes back to ruling it! That would be the best Christmas present I could have.
I never recall incidents like this or the trashing of the Church of the Nativity a few years ago when Israel controlled Bethlehem and surrounding areas. The intimidation of local Christians and the trashing of Bethlehem happened after it was given to the P.A. When I visited Israel in 1986, Bethlehem was under Israeli rule, and it was a nice place. From what I hear about it in recent years, it has gone way downhill.
OMGGG
I am not suprise about PLO or Hamas whover took over this roof
Damn terrorists
See Isreal they never learn
The roof in question is in Bethlehem, under a palesimian grip of terror since 1995.
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