Why would "religious" people lie? Some of them, like the Mayor of Bethlehem, are Palestinians. They lie because the truth exposes them as subhuman terrorists. Some "religious" people lie because they are either a) in bed with the Palestinians politically, or b) afraid of the repercussions to them (in Palestinian territory) if they tell the truth.
See the post above this one about the surrender of two "bedraggled" Palestinians, who say that "many want to surrender" but are being held at gunpoint by "Palestinian militants."
Just because someone is wearing a clerical collar or a cone on his head does NOT mean that person is telling the truth. Even "religious" people can pull a Clinton.
If you accept this at face value, you've been had.
Congressman Billybob
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And you still are.
This is the best info I've found in this regard.
What makes you believe this more than anything else you've heard/read? What makes this the "truth"?
The truth won't be know until every person inside is outside and identified.
Granted, I don't live just down the street, but from where I am watching, the Israelis have done everything in their power to avoid damaging the church--short of leaving and allowing the terrorists to continue killing Jews. They won't and shouldn't do that. Those terrible mean Jews could have buldozed the place if they were unconcerned about damages.
War is hell. If you live next door to where the war is being waged, you live next door to hell. Maybe Mr. Andoni should vacate the premises while the war is next door. I certainly would. But then, I would be concerned for my safety and the safety of my family. Is Mr. Andoni more interested in getting a story, or providing more pro-pali propaganda when he or a family member is killed (probably by a stray pali bullet) than he is for safety?
Please understand that I am not aiming this tirade at you, but at the author and the source. This "Ecumenical Christian" source certainly did not present an "Ecumenical" story. Or perhaps they presented the other side of the story from the view of another author. If so, please post that one also.
I know this might surprise the military genius who wrote this piece....but that is the DEFINITION of the word "seige."
Why not just send in food, tv's, cots, etc., so they can stay there forever?
I've been confused on who exactly was inside in the church. This is the best info I've found in this regard.
(Excerpt from interview:)
Q: The Franciscans seem to have taken a position in favor of the Palestinians, by remaining in the monastery after the armed Palestinians arrived, out of fear that the Israeli army would kill these militants. What is the position of the Holy See?
Archbishop Tauran: The Franciscans are insisting that they are not hostages, and that they are staying in their monastery because they want to be faithful to their vocation. For centuries, the Popes have relied on them to safeguard the holy places.
Generally speaking, all the holy places of the three monotheistic religions must be regarded as inviolable. But with the Catholic sanctuaries, in particular, the tradition is reinforced by recent specific agreements, codified in international law since both the Israelis and the Palestinians have entered into bilateral agreements [with the Holy See], in which they undertake to maintain and respect the status quo regarding the Christian holy places, and the relative rights of the Christian communities.
To explain the gravity of the current situation, let me begin with the fact that the occupation of the holy places by armed men is a violation of a long tradition of law that dates back to the Ottoman era. Never before have they been occupied, for such a lengthy time, by armed men. Today we have reached a tragic situation in which both sides continue to insist that they are right. It has become a practical necessity to find a solution.
We can certainly understand that the Israeli state must respond to defend itself against terrorism. No one can justify terrorism, in any form. The problem is how to respond. Too often, the people have to pay the price. Legitimate response must be measured. It is a question of proportion between the evil to be fought and the means used against it.
Three Armenian monks, who had been held hostage by the Palestinian gunmen inside the Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, managed to flee the church area via a side gate yesterday morning. They immediately thanked the soldiers for rescuing them.
They told army officers the gunmen had stolen gold and other property, including crucifixes and prayer books, and had caused damage.
The three elderly monks were assisted by soldiers. One of them held a white cloth banner with the words "Please help."
One of the monks, Narkiss Korasian, later told reporters: "They stole everything, they opened the doors one by one and stole everything... they stole our prayer books and four crosses... they didn't leave anything. Thank you for your help, we will never forget it."
Israeli officials said the monks said the gunmen had also begun beating and attacking clergymen.
Chances of a breakthrough in the three-week standoff between the IDF and the gunmen holding clergymen and Palestinian civilians hostage inside the church took a more optimistic turn last night, following two meetings between Palestinian Authority and Israeli officials.
Officials are expected to meet for the third time today, an Israeli security official said last night, adding that the talks were conducted in a good atmosphere.
"The Palestinians insist Israel allow the gunmen to be transferred directly to Gaza with an international escort; we insist they lay down their arms and those found to be involved in terrorist activities go on trial in Israel or be deported," he said.
PA officials who participated in the meetings included Imad Natshe, the district coordinating officer; PA Minister of Tourism Mitre Abu Aita, Bethlehem Mayor Hana Nasser, and Salah Ta'amri. Col. Marcel Aviv leads the IDF negotiating team.
Last night, Nasser told The Jerusalem Post a third meeting would take place this afternoon. The atmosphere in which the talks took place was good, he said, but "frankly, there has been no progress. The Israelis are adamant that the gunmen be deported. They don't know the exact number of the gunmen and neither do we. However we insist that the gunmen be taken to Gaza accompanied by a third party.
"If there are accusations against any of them, they can be formally made to the PA court. We cannot agree to their being deported, as it violates the Oslo Accords and sets a terrible precedent.
"We also asked Israel to improve the hygienic situation inside and restore the power and water and food supplies," he said.
Yesterday was the first time that both sides met for direct talks on the issue.
Of the scores of gunmen inside the church, security officials estimate there are at least 20 fugitives affiliated with the Fatah Tanzim and Hamas.
Among them are Ibrahim Abayat, who has planned and organized terrorist activities in the area, and Jihad Ja'ara who, according to witnesses, was shot in the leg when he and the other gunmen commandeered the church.
Israel has stressed that all those who leave the church and are proven not to have been involved in terrorism will be free to return to their homes.
According to reports from those who fled the compound in recent days, there is growing dissent among the gunmen. Food and water supplies are dwindling, and the pressure is mounting, Israeli officials said. Throughout the past weeks, the IDF has given food and medication to the clergy held hostage inside; the other Palestinians held hostage by the gunmen receive water and medication.
Through negotiations it has been learned that there are wanted terrorists in the church and the negotiations are whether to exile the terrorists or arrest them. The terrorists want to go to Gaza.
Each day a couple more people manage to escape. It is NOT as these people are saying, if it were, these people would just surrender to the negotiating team.