Bishops of Holy Land Coordination went on a sightseeing in Cremisan Valley to get updated on the development of the project of the Separation Wall, due to separate fifty Palestinian and Christian families from their lands.
Located along the borders of Beit Jala, occupied in 1967, Cremisan Valley welcomed16 prelates from Holy Land Coordination, coming from Europe, North America and South Africa. They were received by Fr Faysal Hijazeen, Administrator of Beit Jala Parish, accompanied by the lawyer of Society St Yves who defends the cause of Cremisan, in presence of representatives of land owners, one of them being Ricardo Hani, present as well as of British Consul General.
In his welcoming speech, Fr Faysal tried to explain matters and to sum up the case of Cremisan and of the wall. Then lawyers of Society St Yves carried on the explanation, using maps and studies, in order to underscore the political and economical dimensions of the project, and also the consequences on the Sisters’ school.
As to the family representatives, Mr Hani pointed out that the construction of the wall on lands of Beit Jala inhabitants is an offense against people’s normal life. Lands in Cremisan Valley – agricultural and plenty of olive trees – are very fertile. Seizing these lands will have serious consequences on life of families which cultivate them “it is a crime that should be stopped”. He concluded by calling the attention on the environmental consequences of such a project on the area.
