A hoped-for resumption of negotiations regarding the Church of the Nativity standoff in Bethlehem did not occur today, as the extent of the disagreement left no room for optimism that it could be resolved. It has been more than two weeks now that some 200 armed Palestinian terrorists have taken refuge in one of Christianity\'s holiest sites in the country, holding hostage dozens of clergy in the process. The terrorists demand to be allowed to go to Gaza, while Israel insists that they either give themselves up or be deported permanently to a third country. The gunmen now say they are considering embarking upon a hunger strike.
President Moshe Katzav leveled charges today at Christian leaders who pressure Israel to end the standoff, instead of expressing outrage at the Moslems who are desecrating the holy site. The Women in Green organization, however, judges the Christians charitably, writing today,
\"It is obvious that the Christians\' mute response to this desecration is out of fear of Moslem reprisal. That is certainly the reason for the Pope\'s and other Christian leaders\' incredible silence in the face of this obvious religious desecration.\"
President Moshe Katzav leveled charges today at Christian leaders who pressure Israel to end the standoff, instead of expressing outrage at the Moslems who are desecrating the holy site. The Women in Green organization, however, judges the Christians charitably, writing today,
\"It is obvious that the Christians\' mute response to this desecration is out of fear of Moslem reprisal. That is certainly the reason for the Pope\'s and other Christian leaders\' incredible silence in the face of this obvious religious desecration.\"