Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9612271326.A13268-0100000@bucc.bethlehem.edu> Date: Fri, 27 Dec 1996 13:13:44 +0000 From: "Dr. Saleem Zougbi" <mailto:saleem@BETHLEHEM.EDU> Subject: Re: Christmas Tree To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Hello Everybody,I am a Palestinian Christian from Bethlehem, and would like to wish all of you a merry Christmas, and share with you the type of "peace" we have in the town of Peace.
The government of Finland donated a large natural Christmas tree with all its decorations to Bethlehem town, to have it set during this holy month. The tree was received in the Israeli port well before Dec 25, but the Israeli government have placed this tree under quarantine (bilogical tests) to make sure that a Christmas tree selected by experts in Finaland would not carry germs to "Israel".
Still the tree is held hostage, and the symbol of peace among nations, where Israel wopuld have done better by facilitating such a move rather than acting in defiance to entirely non-political act (donating a Christmas tree), and "Peace" is stil hailed in the MIddle East.
This is just to tell how Christmas trees (selected by finest experts in Finland) are a threat to Israeli security like terrorists.....
I am sorry to bring this up on this list, but development in the whole world should know some of the simple acts that nobody hears about in the West...
It is ironic when people speak of freedom and democracy in a country which such acts are committed on the state level.