While it appeared once again this morning that the standoff at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity was finally over, at the last minute PLO negotiators added yet another condition, and the deal was snagged.
To recap: In light of Italy\'s refusal to take in 13 wanted Moslem terrorists - who have held dozens of Christian clergymen hostage for over five weeks in the Christian holy site - Israel agreed to let the 13 remain inside the church until a country could be found that would agree to take them. The plan also stipulated that the innocent people in the church would be let go, and 26 other terrorists would be transported to Gaza. Israeli buses arrived outside the church this morning to take the latter to Gaza, when suddenly the PLO demanded additional \"security arrangements\" for the 13 terrorists - all of whom are directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths of innocent Israelis in attacks over the past 18 months. The empty buses left shortly afterwards, and were replaced once again by IDF tanks.
To recap: In light of Italy\'s refusal to take in 13 wanted Moslem terrorists - who have held dozens of Christian clergymen hostage for over five weeks in the Christian holy site - Israel agreed to let the 13 remain inside the church until a country could be found that would agree to take them. The plan also stipulated that the innocent people in the church would be let go, and 26 other terrorists would be transported to Gaza. Israeli buses arrived outside the church this morning to take the latter to Gaza, when suddenly the PLO demanded additional \"security arrangements\" for the 13 terrorists - all of whom are directly or indirectly responsible for the deaths of innocent Israelis in attacks over the past 18 months. The empty buses left shortly afterwards, and were replaced once again by IDF tanks.