In the News: Israeli Military Redeployment in Bethlehem
Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb
Bethlehem is in the news again. However, it is confusing news. This morning I
could hear that some Palestinians were happy about the redeployment, while
others continued to be very skeptical. As I was giving a live interview for the
main German television, the moderator asked me: “What do you think Dr. Raheb?” I
knew I had a slot of 42 seconds to answer. What should I say? My answer was
dialectical: “This redeployment of the Israeli troops in Bethlehem is important
and should not be underestimated. And at the same time it is unimportant and
should not be overestimated.” When the moderator asked if I can explain my
answer further, I responded by saying that “This redeployment of the Israeli
troops in Bethlehem is important and should not be underestimated, because it is
a sign that a political process is starting again after a long standstill and
after almost 3 years of a deteriorating situation. Sharon invaded all
Palestinian towns and villages. He searched almost every house in the West Bank
and Gaza, used the military arsenal that Israel possesses, including F16 and
Apache Helicopters. Nevertheless, he could not bring security or peace to the
Israeli people. The Palestinians on the other hand undertook so many suicide
bombings, but were not able to bring hope to our people. Security, peace and
prosperity can only be achieved through a political process. The redeployment in
Bethlehem is the start of this process.”
The moderator then asked me, “But what change will it bring to the lives of the
people?” My response was: “Redeployment means for us no curfews. Last year our
children lost 17 weeks of study because of 24-hours, 7 days-a-week curfew.
Moreover, it means that the Palestinian police are back to work and in uniform
bringing law and order to our towns. You can feel the difference around our
Center. They removed already all illegal sales- booths on the streets, which
were causing traffic jams and making life more difficult than it is.”
“But why do you say that this step is at the same time not important and should
not be overestimated?” The moderator asked. My reply was that “ I see so many
media outlets marketing this event as if salvation comes with it. However, this
is not the case. This agreement does not bring us close even to where we were in
September 2000. It does not deal with any of the critical issues: Jerusalem,
Settlements, Water, Borders etc.”
“But what does this mean for you?” I was asked. “It means that the Israeli
military did not withdraw yet from the whole of Bethlehem. They are still in and
around Rachel’s tomb. They are still blocking the main road leading to
Bethlehem. They are still confiscating Palestinian land in Bethlehem, while
building a wall separating Bethlehem from Jerusalem. And Bethlehem is still a
city under siege. I cannot leave Bethlehem without a permit. I need a permit to
go to Jerusalem, I need a permit to go to Ramallah, and I need a permit to go to
the USA. This agreement did not touch on or change any of these obstacles. This
is why it should not be overestimated. It is one step in the right direction.
Not more, not less.”