CPT Report from Palestine II

Bob Gross, Monday, April 22, 2002

We made it into Bethlehem today, but walked for hours trying to get to the Zoughbis' house without running into soldiers (since it was curfew and we were not supposed to be out) and finally were sighted and stopped.

So we got them to agree that we could go to the Beth. Univ where we rested in the garden until curfew lifted at 2 pm. Now we are at the Zoughbis' hostel, and had a good talk with Z. and Elaine this evening. So many stories, including one family we talked to who lost two members in a raid on their house back on April 2 and then were raided and ransacked again last night. We hear gunfire often all around us. Z thinks that tonight might be the time that the IDF decide to go into the Nativity Church, since they have expelled some of the press people, and since the standoff is not so much in the news, while the French election is in the spotlight.

It may be three days before there is another lifting of curfew, which means that we may need to stay here that long. But no one can be sure of anything these days. We'll try to be helpful in whatever way we can, although Z says that just being here is a big help, and lifts people's spirits.

Being here gives a clear sense of what "occupation" means and how it affects people. Something I never could have understood from afar, and which I only understand in a tiny way even now.

My brain is blanking out -- time to go to bed. We are in a good place here, in the middle of a very hard place.