Friday, October 23

In Bethlehem, Jerusalem Archbishop says wall will fall

Archbishop Atallah Hanna, one of the highest-ranking Christian clergymen in Jerusalem, declared on Thursday in Bethlehem the West Bank wall would come down.

"This wall is racist," he said. "It will come down just like Berlin's."

Speaking at Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem, Hanna threw his support behind the Palestinian right of return, saying it was "no less important and sacred for us than our rights in Jerusalem.

"Just as Jerusalem will return to its owners, so too will Palestinian refugees return to their homeland," he added. "We will cling to our homeland... and not give up one drop of soil of our beloved city Jerusalem despite all pressure and plots."

The archbishop was speaking to participants at a peace rally organized by the Holy Land Trust, which was attended by a number of Palestinian officials and several international Christian solidarity organizations.

"Whoever shows solidarity with our people express humanity, morals and genuineness," Hanna said, waving a Palestinian flag.

The rally began at the Nativity Church, from which Palestinians and internationals marched through Bethlehem before finally arriving at the refugee camp, "where they chanted slogans against the occupation and prayed for justice," a statement said.

Sami Awad, the head of the the Holy Land Trust, spoke at the same site where Pope Benedict XVI delivered his address to the refugees of Palestine earlier this year.

Luisa Morgantini, a member of the European parliament, said she stood with "all who are calling for peace around the world with the Palestinians... We are here to confirm this solidarity and sympathy."

Bethlehem Mayor Victor Batarsa addressed the crowd, as well, affirming "the unity among Christian and Muslim Palestinians who remain steadfast on their land facing Israeli assaults."
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