Possible Jewish settlement in West Bank raises Palestinian concerns

Published: 2003-11-07

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- New Jewish apartments in a Palestinian neighborhood at the entrance to Bethlehem could raise tensions in the area, residents said. Initial plans for the Jewish complex, located adjacent to Rachel's Tomb, call for three apartments and a religious school in a building owned by a Catholic family. The complex, inaugurated Nov. 6, is located on the road to the entrance to Bethlehem. The road is under Israeli military and civil control. Elia Sammour, an official with the Christian Laity Committee in the Holy Land, said the presence of Jewish settlers on the road leading to Bethlehem's main entrance could lead to increased tensions. He said he was surprised to learn that apartments were part of the new complex; he was told that only a religious school would be constructed at the site. "This is a good way (for the settlers) to put a foot in the door," he said. "If they start with three families, in a few years they will have so many families, you will have a settlement," Sammour said.

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