We have been held prisoner for the past two years in our own cages, or should I say our homes - we no longer feel as if they are our homes as even there we are not safe. Our children are glad to not have to go to school, but that false happiness only lasts a day when they realize the reality of invasion and watch the tanks and soldiers in our streets. In Beit Sahour things are very quiet, actually too quiet. I do not like the sound of it. The Israeli occupying forces are conducting house to house search, mainly concentrating on the refugee camps of Al Aza and Deheishe, and have arrested many people. Some, the Israelis claim, are wanted but most are just relatives of those they could not find.

What is there to look forward to? Should Moslems plan for their Ramadan feast or should the Christians plan for Christmas, two of the most Holy festivals? Or should we expect to be under invasion for a long time as the news reports state that the Israeli occupying forces have a job to do but they give no time limit as to when they will withdraw.

I sadly report to you that we have joined the rest of the Palestinians cites to face the relentless brutality and oppression of military occupation. The horrific toll of human rights abuses and flagrant disregard for international laws and conventions will continue to be ignored. I would like to extend my regards to President Bush for asking the Israeli government not to keep their troops here too long in Bethlehem and to finish the job quickly as the Holy festivals are approaching. How reassuring for us.