What has been happening to Bethlehem University ? - A Story from a Franciscan Brother from Inside
The whole world is watching over Holy Land full of blood. Let’s us pray for peace and justice there and do whatever is possible and necessary.
The story below was forwarded by Diane Goessing Diane.Goessing@t-online.de, a member of ICMICA German Federation. She received it directly from a Brother Jerome Sullivan FSC jeromes@bethlehem.edu living in Jerusalem.
Bethlehem University is a Catholic University. It was founded in 1973 and run by the American order of Christian (School) Brothers. It concentrates on nursing, social sciences, business administration, hotel mangement, languages and natural sciences andtraining teachers of technical subjects for colleges. It has 2000 students of whom 2/3 are Muslims and 1/3 Christians. 2/3 are women and 1/3 are men. It has 165 people on its teaching staff of whom 85% are Christians and 15% are Muslims.
Bethlehem University Update - Week of April 2-10, 2002
Incursion into Bethlehem/Occupation of University
Tuesday, April 2. Israeli troops forced their way onto campus at around 2:45 a.m., climbing over the gate of Pope John Paul II Street (formerly Children Street) and opening the electronic gate entrance. When the soldiers approached the Brothers' Residence, Br. Joseph Loewenstein, a US citizen, went to open the front door and was shot at, the bullets smashing through the glass in the door, fortunately missing Brother Joseph, but hitting the picture of St. De La Salle on the wall in the hallway behind him. Brothers Vincent Malham and Neil Kieffe, President and Academic Vice President respectively, accompanied some of the soldiers as they searched every room in the University. Brothers David Scarpa and Kenneth Cardwell accompanied two of the soldiers as they searched each room in the Brothers' house. The thorough search of the campus and residence revealed no evidence of gunmen or arms.
A fleet of Armored Personnel Carriers drove onto the campus and more troops arrived on campus occupying the main buildings and setting up a command post. There were 100 or more troops billeted in the University buildings. The Brothers were placed under "house arrest" and all were required to stay in the residence except Brothers Vincent and Neil.
Wednesday, April 3. The second day of occupation and "house arrest" continued as on the previous day. Periodic shooting in Bethlehem also went on throughout the day.
Thursday, April 4. In late afternoon eight armed soldiers came unannounced to the Brothers residence to conduct another full search. Four soldiers remained by the entrance while four others, accompanied by Brother Neil, meticulously checked out every room, closet, corner in the house for hidden arms or gunmen. During the search, the other Brothers were assembled together in one room and required to await the results of the investigation. Again, no arms or gunmen were discovered.
Friday, April 5. There were a few signs of easing of restrictions of the "house arrest". Brothers who wished to go to their offices were allowed to do so for one hour, one at a time, by armed escort. One Brother was also permitted to walk outside for a brief period in the front garden of the campus.
A US media reporter was allowed to come to the front gate of the University to deliver two sacks of bread sent by a friend. The curfew on Bethlehem was lifted from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. to allow inhabitants to shop for food. The Brothers who left campus were required to turn in their identity cards on leaving and to pick them up on returning.
At about noon an armed vehicle with representatives from the US and British Consulates came to the Brothers' residence and met with each US and British citizen individually, once more offering them the opportunity to be evacuated to Jerusalem. As before, each Brother chose to remain.
Saturday, April 6. The Israeli soldiers (still some 100 at best estimate) evacuated campus, probably in early morning. Although there are some vestiges of residual damage, in general the campus and buildings were left in decent condition. Considering the extensive destruction of so many places in Bethlehem and elsewhere (particularly in Ramallah) we are fortunate. Cleanup and preparation for classes, whenever this becomes possible, can probably be done in one-two days.
There was still strong Israeli army presence in Bethlehem and continued heavy bombardment all day and night. No one ventured out on the streets. It was reported that house-to-house searching continued, including the home of Mr. Hanna Nasser, Mayor of Bethlehem and Chairman of our Board of Trustees, which was entered in the morning.
Sunday, April 7. We continued without internet/e-mail capability for the second straight day. A makeshift arrangement was set up to allow us to have limited access to e-mail/internet. Receiving messages through "bethlehem.edu" was still not possible and would require several more days to return to normal functioning.
The nephew (age 27) of our neighbors, the Gadeon family (several members of whom we had sheltered in the University on previous days) died of cancer during the night. Father Peter DuBrul, our chaplain, presided at the Mass of Resurrection in the University chapel. Usama was buried in the Brothers' Crypt on campus due to the extreme difficulty/danger of transporting the body to a cemetery for interment.
Monday, April 8. The curfew in Bethlehem was lifted in the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. Several Brothers went off campus but scurried back after a short while due to sporadic shooting nearby. They reported massive damage to buildings, homes, cars in the city.
Tuesday, April 9. We anxiously await the resolution of the extremely delicate and dangerous situation at the Basilica of the Nativity. It is hoped that the imminent arrival of US Secretary of State Colin Powell will effect an immediate withdrawal of the Israeli army from Bethlehem and other occupied cities and an amelioration of the present tragic situation in the region.
Appreciation. The Community of De La Salle Christian Brothers expresses profound gratitude for the outpouring of support from our own FSC confreres and from countless friends and benefactors around the world. We also acknowledge with appreciation the efforts of media representatives from various countries who are communicating with us to get periodic updates on the situation at the University and in Bethlehem. During this rather difficult period we Brothers feel strongly supported by these expressions of care and concern. A sincere thank you to each of you.
Wednesday, April 10 Israeli troops, about 100, left Bethlehem University at dawn on Saturday. They took over the university buildings from April 2-6 for command posts, sleeping, eating, etc. They used our parking areas for their armored vehicles. The Brothers were under house arrest and the Brothers House was searched twice for terrorists.
Strict curfew still remains. Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers patrol the streets and shoot at random to frighten the people. When the curfew is lifted every few days confusion reigns because the hours for curfew are not made clear and the shooting continues to discourage people from talking to journalists.
The Nativity Church area is a "closed military zone" and stun grenades are shot at all who venture close. The streets are littered with garbage and crushed vehicles. Buildings and stores are totally or partially destroyed. Streets, lampposts, and monuments are torn up by tanks moving from place to place. People are angry, defiant, scared, confused, etc. Nobody know when the siege will end. We have no idea how badly this will affect our academic year.
For more news after April 10, please directly write to a Brother Jerome Sullivan FSC jeromes@bethlehem.edu or contact Ms Diane Goessing Diane.Goessing@t-online.de,
May Peace be with them!