May 11, 2002 “MIDEAST TURMOIL: AFTERMATH; IN CHURCH OF NATIVITY, THE REFUSE OF A SIEGE.”

May 11, 2002 Islamic Murder, Mayhem, and Mutilation

Christianity

“MIDEAST TURMOIL: AFTERMATH; IN CHURCH OF NATIVITY, THE REFUSE OF A SIEGE.” (e.g. 39 Days)

The only visible damage was to the Franciscan priory next to the church, which had been scorched by one of three fires reported during the occupation till all that remained was blackened floors and ceilings.  All in all, some priests said, it could have been worse.   Early today, after 39 days under siege, over 130 people — Palestinian gunmen and civilians, clerics and foreign protesters — filed out of the Church of the Nativity, which marks the supposed birthplace of Jesus and where many of the Palestinians had sought refuge as Israeli troops pushed into the town on April 2.

Source:  Cowell, Alan and Joel Greenberg. New York Times, May 11, 2002.