Ecumenical News International Daily News Service http://www.eni.ch/ 28 February 2003

Israeli wall around Rachel's Tomb to divide Bethlehem

By Ross Dunn, Jerusalem, 28 February (ENI)--Israel is preparing to build a security wall that will divide the birthplace of Jesus on the West Bank, on the grounds that it will safeguard a sacred Jewish religious shrine in Bethlehem.

The move will divide Bethlehem's Palestinian areas and is likely to further isolate the town that is so holy for Christendom. For more than two years, few tourists have been to Bethlehem because of violent clashes in the town.

At issue is the site known as Rachel's Tomb, at the edge of the town which has become a frequent flash point of violence between the Israeli military and Palestinians.