Israeli and PA officials are scheduled this evening to hold their second meeting today regarding the Bethlehem Nativity Church standoff. Today was the first time such negotiations have been held since between 100 and 200 armed Arabs blasted their way into the church three weeks ago. They have been holding a few dozen priests and nuns as hostages, refusing Israeli demands to give themselves up. Three Armenian priests managed to reach a roof of the church this morning, holding a large sign reading, \"Help Us.\" The army noticed them and helped them escape. The priests told of \"shocking sights\" inside the church, including the beating by terrorists of some Christian clergy last night, as well as vandalism and thefts by the armed Arabs. The priests also said that hunger is beginning to have its effect on several of the prisoners.
The Israelis have offered a choice to the 30 wanted terrorists inside the church: Either they give themselves up, or be deported to a foreign country. Israel says that several dozen other armed Arabs can surrender their weapons and go free. The terrorists, however, demand to be allowed to go to Gaza.
Ibrahim Abayat and Ismail Hamdan, murderers of American citizen Avi Boaz, are reportedly among the terrorists currently hiding behind nuns and monks in the Church of Nativity.
The siege around Yasser Arafat\'s compound continues. Top European Union representatives will meet with the PLO leader tomorrow, and will be followed later in the week by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said that now that the shooting in Ramallah has stopped, such meetings could take place. The \"isolation\" that Israel had previously decreed upon Arafat seems to have thus ended.
The Israelis have offered a choice to the 30 wanted terrorists inside the church: Either they give themselves up, or be deported to a foreign country. Israel says that several dozen other armed Arabs can surrender their weapons and go free. The terrorists, however, demand to be allowed to go to Gaza.
Ibrahim Abayat and Ismail Hamdan, murderers of American citizen Avi Boaz, are reportedly among the terrorists currently hiding behind nuns and monks in the Church of Nativity.
The siege around Yasser Arafat\'s compound continues. Top European Union representatives will meet with the PLO leader tomorrow, and will be followed later in the week by the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey. Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said that now that the shooting in Ramallah has stopped, such meetings could take place. The \"isolation\" that Israel had previously decreed upon Arafat seems to have thus ended.