Israeli separation barrier cages in families near Bethlehem entrance

Published: 2005-12-07

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) -- Only the Bandak and Anastas families and elderly Gloria Hizaine remain in their homes on the edge of Rachel's Tomb Street, which used to be the main thoroughfare into Bethlehem. The families, who are Catholic, live on opposite sides of the street, just a few yards away from what once was the quaint Turkish-period building of Rachel's Tomb. Now the tomb is concealed behind a stone fortress-like structure, strewn with camouflage nets and barbed wire and guarded by armed Israeli soldiers. The area is being assaulted by the creeping Israeli separation barrier -- looming cement slabs that, having slashed through the surrounding hillsides, separate the west side of the road where the Bandaks and Hizaine live from the east side where the Anastas family lives. The Israelis plan to expand the barrier to create a protective corridor where Jewish worshippers can come to pray at Rachel's Tomb, which in the past has been the site of Israeli-Palestinian fighting. Israelis say the barrier is needed to keep out Palestinian terrorists.

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