The Thirty Foot Wall in Bethlehem
By Brother Jack Curran
March 3, 2004
Dear Friends, I hope you are well.
You might notice that I haven't written in a while
with some updates about the situation here in Bethlehem in the Holy Land. I think
that part of the reason for that is that I find some of the recent developments in terms
of the on-going building of the "separation barrier" here in Bethlehem are
having a strong negative impact on me that at times I am trying in my mind to deny the
reality. As you may know, I was in Rome and in the States for a couple weeks at the end of
Jan - early Feb for some University meetings. Just before I left Bethlehem for these
meetings, the Israelis had begun moving land with bulldozers around the military
checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The word we heard was that it was in
order to build a NEW military checkpoint about a quarter mile further into Bethlehem! Not
a good sign!
They were also extending the "separation
barrier" that everyone is talking about and condemning. At that point, here in
Bethlehem, this "separation barrier" was "just" a barb wire fence with
a road on both sides of it and another barb wire fence on the outside of those two roads.
Terrible enough and taking up significant Palestinian land, of course. Some of us
took some solace in the fact that this "separation barrier" here in Bethlehem at
least was not a concrete wall. Sad that some could take "solace" in
accepting this - but perhaps that's an indicator as to how many difficulties people are
enduring. Well, when I returned from Rome and the States in early February -- in those
three and a half weeks I was away, it ws obvious that the Israeli government had been busy
with the construction.
The NEW military checkpoint is begining to have its
foundation poured now. They have moved soil from the hills on one side of the Hebron
Road to fill in the valley on the other side of the road (ironic when you think of the
Scripture passage about "every hill will be made low and valley raised up - to make
straight the way of the Lord"). This here is making things straight for a terrible
separation barrier! Tearing people apart, having some parts of families living on either
side of the barrier -- outrageous!
Not only that, what was the barbed wire fence version
of this separation barrier in Bethlehem a few weeks ago is now, as of two days ago, a 30
foot high concrete wall. It is tremendously gut wrenching to see and experience! It
is one thing to read about this "wall" and to see it on TV -- but I tell you,
yesterday, when I first saw this monstrosity here in Bethlehem - up close and live - it
really turned my stomach and saddened me deeply.
What injustice! -- and who can stop it? To whom will
they listen? It is so very real and I feel so powerless - in solidarity with the
Palestinian people who simply want what we all want, a chance to live life freely and
peacefully --
I tell you, it is a struggle to deal with it -- right
now, I have been working at trying to avoid even thinking about it -- and trying not to
see it -- trying to keep focus on the students and faculty - their well- being and
positive energy while they are on campus -- and, of course, my tasks to be in touch with
donors to help to keep the Uiniversity operating and able to grant tuition assistance to
needy students, etc ... One of the realities of living here in the Holy Land at this time,
I am learning, is that each day is ever so interesting, for sure, requiring patient
witnessing for the truth by simply trying to live a "normal" life.
On the ground here, things seem to be getting more
and more difficult in terms of freedom of movement. However, we must live in hope,
we choose to live in hope, we choose life as LOVE always conquers EVIL.
My prayer this Lent has been time for searching for
understanding, seeking grace for solidarity, thankfulness for the daily opportunties to be
involved with building hope for the future, seeking forgiveness and peace among us all.
Thanks again for your prayerful support and
solidarity. We pray for you often. Your solidarity is deeply appreciated. I
will try to get a photo of the NEW WALL IN Bethlehem -- but to be honest, I am a bit
frightened as some photographers have been shot and/or arrested by the many armed guards
around the construction site.
Fraternally and With Great Hope for a Better Future,
Br Jack
Brother Jack Curran is Vice
President for Development at Bethlehem University in the West Bank, responsible for public
relations, fundraising, alumni and international relations. He has been a De La
Salle Christian Brother since 1979, originating from Troy, NY. He has a
bachelors from Manhattan College, Bronx, NY and masters and PhD from State University of
NY at Albany. He has been involved in education as a teacher and administrator since
1979 in elementary and high schools as well as colleges and universities -- on the east
coast of the US as well as on the west coast -- and now in the West Bank.
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