[American in Israel]

Please see the link above where Fr. Peter Vasko, OFM of the Custody of the Holy Land insists that the Christians are not hostages but are choosing to stay there and protect the holy site as they have for the last 800 years.

Just like Josephs tomb, that the Palestinians signed a treaty to respect as a Jewish Holy site, that was, before the burned to the ground and rebuilt it as a mosque. If the Christians leave the Church, it will be a Mosque and they will not be allowed back in within two days. Of course they are staying, they are Christian Hero's! And yes they have a gun to their heads. Funny, the IDF has strict orders not to shoot at the church, if firing is erupting every night, it just means the PLO have not run out of bullets yet.

[history_matters]

The desecration of Joseph's Tomb is a great horror, but historically Muslims have never tried to turn the Church of the Holy Nativity into a mosque. Nonetheless, before we moved from Bethlehem to Spain, it was clear that the Muslims were being radicalized by Wahhabis and Shiite extremists. In the current environment I must concede anything is possible.

[Romulus]

Of course they are staying, they are Christian Hero's!

I assure you, the Francicans harbor no ambitions to be seen as heroes.

And yes they have a gun to their heads.

I know; it's already kiilled their bell-ringer and wounded a monk.

If the Israelis are still interested in recommending themselves to world opinion as the most reliable guarantors of the Holy Places, they must approach the Church of the Nativity with reverence -- not like the operators of a religious theme park who're sending in pest control to spiff up a popular ride.