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Keyword: seige

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  • A Sanctuary Under Siege: Clergy Expected Palestinians to Seek Refuge

    04/20/2002 6:55:13 PM PDT · by anapikoros · 19 replies · 291+ views
    Washington Post ^ | April 20, 2002 | Craig Whitlock
    .......The prayers that evening, April 2, were interrupted by a gunshot coming from the Franciscan monastery, adjacent to the church's ancient basilica. A bullet blew apart a lock to a century-old side door, enabling a handful of Palestinian gunmen to walk in. Over the next two hours, dozens more followed, about 200 in all, until the sanctuary was filled with Palestinians, black paint streaked across many of their faces. The sudden appearance of a small army of guerrilla fighters in one of the holiest sites in Christianity did not, however, come as a complete surprise to most of the clergy...
  • Vatican outrage over church siege

    04/10/2002 2:52:46 AM PDT · by Khepry · 167 replies · 569+ views
    BBC News ^ | April 8 2002 | BBC
    The Vatican has issued a stern warning to Israel to respect religious sites in line with its international obligations, following a gun battle around Bethlehem's besieged Church of the Nativity. Spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the Vatican was following events "with extreme apprehension" and trying to establish the truth about the fighting that flared early on Monday. This is an act of indescribable barbarity, a violation of every law of humanity and civilisation Father David Jaeger Franciscan spokesman Israel says its troops are under orders not to fire at holy places and blamed Palestinian militants for a fire near the church,...