Bible groups support Israel's expansion on W. Bank,considered illegitimate by US, UN

Palestinian child

“I am deeply concerned about the ongoing displacement and dispossession of Palestinians in Area C, particularly along the Jordan Valley where the number of structures demolished more than doubled in the last year,” said a senior United Nations relief official.  Area C is 60 per cent of the West Bank.  Israel maintains control over security, planning and building in the area.

Recently 66 people, including 36 children, were forced to leave their homes as Israel demolished their homes.

James W. Rawley, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory,  continued his remarks, evidencing concern about Israel's continuing demolition of structures in the West Bank that is forcing people of their basic shelter and services.   Rawley declared, "It runs counter to international law." 

The demolition is taking place before Palestinians have had access to an area with fair plans and zones where they can receive basic services.  

Various humanitarian agencies have been providing assistance to displaced families that include more than 1000 individuals in recent years.  And much of this assistance has been confiscated or destroyed.

Several months ago, John Kerry, the US secretary of state, met with Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president in Bethlehem, after which he made this statement about the United States' position on the new Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.  He said, "Let me emphasize that the position of the United States is that we consider now, and have always considered, the settlements to be illegitimate," he said.

In the meantime there are regular reports of fundamentalist Christian organizations providing money for Israelis to build their homes on the West bank, they consider part of the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy.

The Christmas story from the Book of Luke offered for interfaithunderstanding

Although historically there are questions regarding the specific date of the birth of Jesus the Christ, most of the world celebrates Christmas somewhere between December 25 and the end of the first week of January.  In many homes the holiday begins on Christmas Eve, the night when the story of the birth is finally unveiled with the proclamations of the mission of Christ.  This selection from the New Testament is one often read during these days, offering for all the key to understanding of the faith of the Christians.

Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to his own town to register.  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.