Bethlehem mayor: Jewish settlers near town set dangerous precedent

Published: 2004-10-27

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The two Jewish families who moved into a building at the entrance to the West Bank town of Bethlehem set a dangerous precedent, said the mayor of Bethlehem. Palestinians believe that the families, who moved into a building adjacent to Rachel's Tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem Oct. 24, are setting a precedent for more Israelis to move into the area. "This is really a very dangerous move," said Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Nasser, who said he was told by the Israeli army that the families had been evacuated the morning of Oct. 26. "I am sure they will repeat it and repeat it until the settlers stay there. This is in the main and only entrance to Bethlehem. We can't accept this. It will become an area of friction." A yeshiva, or Jewish religious school, has been operating on the property since March with the approval of Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz, but no prior notice was given to the Israeli defense authorities about the two families moving in, said local media reports. According to the daily Ha'aretz newspaper, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was informed about the move Oct. 24.

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