August 28, 2001

Most everything was closed today because of the assassination yesterday. One exception was the school, but most of the students and teachers came (to our surprise), and classes went along as usual. We later realized that this is because Palestinian government schools have not opened yet, and so the Ministry of Education would not have called for a strike and closure.

Martyrdom posters of Abu ‘Ali Mustafa are up all over town.

Posters were up all over town already, with pictures of Abu 'Ali Mustafa. The IDF is still in Beit Jala, and gun-battles are in the streets of that Christian village. Our inbox is clogged with pleas for help, to call/fax/email Israeli and American leaders and officials to stop this reoccupation and escalation of the conflict, particularly pointing out the occupation of the Lutheran church and orphanage.

The digital camera is a big hit: getting your picture taken, and then seeing it immediately!

In the evening, we made a few visits to reconnect with families we hadn't seen much of recently. Their kids were all anxious to have their pictures taken, but the talk among the adults was of politics and fear and getting the heck out of here.

Through all of our visits, the sound of Israeli military aircraft roared above. We all knew that they wouldn't be doing anything in our town, and we were so thankful that we had that assurance, unlike so many people on the West Bank and Gaza. Instead, we postulated about where they were headed, but didn't find out anything from the news - perhaps peeking in on Beit Jala. Maybe the grassroots call for faxes and emails had effect, as the US mentioned the Lutheran Church and orphanage in its word to Israel to withdraw. We'll see what is heeded...