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Dear Friends:
Almost six weeks have passed since the latest but not the first nightmare started. The Israeli occupation forces re-entered Bethlehem and the surrounding towns and villages on the 31st of March 2002. This time around, the entry was the fiercest and the most violent in a series of actions carried out by the Israelis over the past three months in what they claimed to be self-defense against terrorist attacks! As they entered, they fired their weapons at everything or anything that was in the way of their tanks and armored vehicles. Tanks and heavy army bulldozers literally and intentionally crushed vehicles parked safely on the roadsides. Street lantern posts along pavements were brought down and twisted like spaghetti noodles. In the process the Israeli armed forces have caused the loss of life of innocent children, women and men and the massive destruction of the infrastructure including civilian homes, schools, public institutions, communication and public facilities, roads, water and electricity main supply lines.
Twice the Israeli soldiers forcefully entered the Dar al-Kalima Model school, once during the previous re-occupation, which started on March 8, 2002, and once again during the early days of this latest re-occupation of Bethlehem, which started on March 31, 2002. There was deliberate and unnecessary destruction to property incurred by the soldiers, during both incidents. Main heavy-duty metal doors were destroyed using machine guns and heavy-duty hammers. Internal wooden doors were violently destroyed. Many of the windows were either smashed or shot at. Two crosses were deliberately removed from location and destroyed. Students’ artwork, drawings and handcrafts were tampered with and damaged. The burglar alarm was destroyed and shot at. Plant and flowerpots were tipped over and scattered all over. Some walls were riddled with bullet holes. The canteen area was vandalized and beverages used up by the occupiers. However, this is the least of our problems. The biggest challenge now is to come up with a practical strategy to conclude the school year. Sacrifices will have to be made by the students, the parents and the teachers this time. The next huge challenge ahead of us is to look into effective ways to deal with traumatized children and adults because of the prevailing situation. The last thing that should be done is to conclude the school year early, since it is important not to pressure students under these circumstances. Nevertheless, with the proper guidance and support, we hope that the children will overcome the trauma of this last invasion.
Dr. Charlie D. Haddad
Principal
Dar Al-Kalima School / Bethlehem