Why was the Church of the Nativity Boobytrapped? Twelve of the thirteen Palestinian gunmen at the centre of the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem were yesterday dispersed to different countries in Europe. They have presented themselves as the heroic defenders of one of Christianity's holiest shrines against Israeli aggression. However, when they finally left the church nearly two weeks ago they left behind boobytraps which could have killed Christian worshippers. When the siege of the Church of the Nativity was finally lifted on 10 May the church was left in a desperate state. The building was filthy and smelly, excrement and rubbish were left on the floor, the understandable results of over 200 people crammed together for some 39 desperate and dangerous days. However, less understandable were over forty boobytraps and explosive devices left behind, hidden in cupboards and behind doors, which Israeli soldiers had to disable before the church could again be safe for worshippers. The devices, although probably designed to kill Israeli soldiers, could just as easily have resulted in the deaths of Palestinian Christian worshippers, and demonstrate at the very least the indifference of the gunmen to the safety of the Christian Palestinians whom they purport to protect. Another report says that graffiti was daubed on the walls of the church, and some gold candlesticks, crucifixes, prayer books and other items were stolen, although at least some of these were later returned. Western peace activists who entered the church during the siege also upset some clergy by smoking and drinking alcohol in the building, something many local Christians consider offensive and disrespectful. There can be little doubt that most Muslim and Christian Palestinians in Bethlehem were largely united in their opposition to Israeli incursions into the West Bank. It is also clearly the case that the Palestinian Christian clergy who remained in the Church during the siege did so to ensure the protection of the building, and were not being held against their will as hostages as some have sought to claim. However, it remains the case that Christians in the Holy Land are facing prejudice, hostility and violence from Palestinian Islamic gunmen as well as suffering alongside Muslims at the hands of the Israeli army. In the past Islamic gunmen have deliberately chosen to fire at Israeli houses from Christian homes, Christian women have been terrorised and even raped, and Christian converts from Islam have been targeted for assassination by Islamic militants. In the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land Palestinian Christians are, often quite literally, caught in the crossfire, and have suffered violence from both sides. PRAY Give thanks for the peaceful ending of the siege of the church of the Nativity. Pray for a peaceful and just settlement to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Pray for the Christians in Bethlehem and elsewhere in the West Bank. Pray that they will know the Lord's protection and encouragement during these difficult times.
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