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Bishop Langrish said he had thought hard about whether he could recommend visits to the Holy Land at present. The situation was changing all the time and people had to be aware, but it was important to remember that visitors were not the target: "Neither side has an interest in [targeting] any tourist."

He said he had been shocked by the breakdown of economic activity.

"In Gaza you could pick up beautiful flowers for a few shekels. They had been grown for export, but could not be sent out. Piles of strawberries and cucumbers could be seen simply rotting."

Both Renshaw and Bishop Langrish were concerned about the effect of the conflict on the local Christian communities. The Christian communities were losing members through emigration, Renshaw pointed out.

"On the other hand, some Christians can be counted on to stay. Some said to me: 'It is our calling to stay—whatever happens we must find our way'."

Bishop Langrish said the indigenous Christian communities of the Middle East saw themselves as "forgotten people."

The Palestine conflict did not involve only Muslim Arabs and Jews, he said. "Church leaders in the Middle East are saying: 'Come and see us—come and see the living stones.'"

The ecumenical delegation gave its findings to a CTBI church representatives' meeting held in Wales from March 30 to April 1. It plans to expand the 16 "preliminary reflections" into a detailed report.

Copyright © 2001 ENI.

Holy Land Roadblocks | Christian pilgrims learn about Palestinians' everyday indignities. (Apr. 9, 2001)

Christian Zionists Rally for Jewish State | More than 600 Christians from around the world flock to Jerusalem to show solidarity with Israel as peace process collapses. (Apr. 9, 2001)

Between a Rock and a Holy Site | Muslims have stepped up their efforts to take control of places revered by Jews and Christians. (Feb. 13, 2001)

The Peace Regress | What's behind the current outbreak of hostilities in the Holy Land? (Jan. 11, 2001)

Conflict in the Holy Land | A timeline of trials for the most contested piece of real estate in the world.

Christmas in Palestine: Hunger and War | Starvation threatens Palestinian villages if U.N. aid continues to be delayed, Vatican official warns. (Dec. 13, 2000)

Between the Temple Mount and a Hard Place | Palestinian Christians want both peace in their villages and justice for their Muslim brothers. (Dec. 5, 2000)

Messianic Ethiopians Face Discrimination | Sisters appealing decision to revoke Israeli citizenship. (Dec. 4, 2000)

Christmas Plans for Bethlehem Scrapped | Escalating violence cancels millennial celebration in town of Christ's birth. (Dec. 1, 2000)

Lutheran Bishop's Appeal from Jerusalem | Religious leader's letter requests prayer for Christians, Jews, and Palestinians in troubled region. (Nov. 10, 2000)

Latin Patriarch tells Israel to Surrender Lands to Palestinians | Catholic leader says Israel will never have peace unless it "converts all of its neighbors to friends." (Nov. 1, 2000)

Fighting Engulfs a Christian Hospital in Jerusalem | Lutherans call conflict on their hospital grounds "an affront" to humanitarian purposes. (Oct. 16, 2000)

Preparing for Pilgrims | Religious rivalry complicates millennial planning. (June 14, 1999)

How Evangelicals Became Israel's Best Friend | (October 5, 1998)

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April (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45