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Fact sheet
Anastas family
Rachel’s Tomb, Bethlehem
General – Rachel’s Tomb
A holy place for various religions, Rachel’s
Tomb is located inside Bethlehem town along the
traditional Jerusalem-Hebron road. Although
it was originally destined in the Oslo Accords
for inclusion in Area A,
it ultimately became part of Area C. During the
second Intifada which started in September 2000,
Rachel’s Tomb became a focal point of clashes
between Palestinian youth and militants on the
one hand, and the Israeli army on the other. A
wall and tower were built around the Tomb.
In 2003, the Israeli government ordered the de
facto annexation of Rachel's Tomb and it became
enclosed in the Jerusalem municipality
boundaries. In summer 2005, an 8-10 meter Wall
was built around the military camp opposite
Rachel’s Tomb and further along a shoe-shaped
road that connects Rachel’s Tomb with Jerusalem,
for use by primarily Jewish pilgrims.
Appeals at Israeli High Court
A Palestinian neighborhood along the
Jerusalem-Hebron road, between Rachels’ Tomb and
the Jerusalem checkpoint, has been particularly
affected by the building of the Wall. This
neighborhood consists of some dozens of
families. There have been two attempts to
influence the course of the Wall, both at the
Israeli High Court. The first attempt was at the
beginning of 2005 and involved the whole
neighborhood. The second attempt was some four
months ago and involved a smaller group of
families. In both cases the attempts were not
intended to bestow any legitimacy to the
presence of the Wall as such. The final route of
the Wall was decided by Israel after the second
court case.
The Anastas families
The homes most affected belong to two Anastas
families (visited by UCP in October 2005).
Fourteen persons including nine children live in
the building, isolated in a small area and
surrounded by a nine-meter wall on three sides.
The house and area is subject to severe military
measures. The shops of the families – two for
home accessories and two for car mechanics – are
located below in the building. They are closed,
as there is no business. Clients are afraid to
visit a military zone. Even family members are
afraid to pay a visit. It also happens that the
family is unable to enter their own home. The
family lives at present on debts. Some of the
children and an older person need regular
treatment and medicines. Because of traveling
restrictions in the Palestinian territories the
family has difficulty to obtain them. A 13-year
child got severe infections in his leg because
workers were digging for the sewage pipes while
clearing the ground for building the Wall. The
children show psycho-social symptoms of
traumatization and have lower marks at school.
The family has done an appeal to the Pope to
intervene. |
