Former Israeli liaison to the U.S. Congress Yoram Ettinger said yesterday that Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority have succeeded in reducing the 60% majority of Christians in Bethlehem and neighboring Beit-Jala to a 20% minority. According to Ettinger, Arafat tipped the demography by changing the cities municipal boundaries and incorporating thousands of additional Muslims into the district. Many Christians have fled Bethlehem after suffering Muslim intimidation and violation of their civil liberties by the PLO.



Ettinger charges that local Muslim Fatah gangs continue to desecrate Christian cemeteries, churches, convents, and monasteries. Also, the chant, “After we do away with the Saturday People [the Jews], we shall take care of the Sunday people [the Christians],” has been heard during anti-Israel PLO rallies. PLO terrorists shooting at Jerusalem\'s southern neighborhood Gilo purposely position themselves next to or in Christian homes, hotels, and churches in hopes of creating Christian casualties when Israel returns fire. The Christian casualties provide \"proof\" for the PLO propaganda machine to create the illusion that Israel attacks Christian property. According to the plan, Christians of the world will then condemn Israel and side with the Muslims in the current Oslo War. Ettinger’s reports entitled “Jerusalem Cloakroom” are posted at: http://www.acpr.org.il/cloakrm/index.html