The Fourth Activity

Archbishop Desmund Tutu in Beit Sahour

Archbishop Tutu was invited by the Rapprochement group to attend the prayer for peace that took place immediately after the end of the 45 days tax raids and siege on the town of Beit Sahour. Being unable to join, due to his Previous Commitments, he promised to attend the Christmas mass on December 1989.

Archbishop Tutu arrived at the Roman Catholic Church at 4:00 p.m. on December 14, 1989 accompanied by clergymen, foreign diplomats and many Palestinians from Jerusalem. More than 3000 people from the town assembled to welcome his arrival. The honorable visitor was welcomed by the national Palestinian anthem (Biladi Biladi).

The Archbishop then took lead of a peaceful march heading towards the Anglican Shepherds Field site. The 3000 marchers raised slogans praising peace and justice and condemning apartheid and occupation. They also chanted with peace and national songs.

After a 15 minutes walk, Tutu arrived to a tumultuous welcome by hundreds of townspeople who held up olive branches and shouted “ANC-PLO” and “PLO Israel No”, outside the YMCA building near Shepherds Field. A crowd of girls and women held up signs reading: “No to racism and occupation, Yes to democracy and independence”. The military had moved hundreds of reinforcements from regular army units into Bethlehem and nearby areas before the celebration. Roadblocks ringed Beit Sahour overnight and foot patrols roamed dark and empty streets.

Apparently restrained by the presence of the Archbishop and other Christian dignitaries from Jerusalem, the soldiers made no move to break up the crowd. That produced the unusual sight.

In the presence of hundreds of Israeli soldiers and security people, younger Palestinians, usually engaged in stone throwing clashes with the soldiers, formed a human chain to insure a free passage to Archbishop Tutu into the Shepherds Field. People paid no attention to the continuous attempts of the army to prevent them from joining the mass.

Inside, the 90 minutes carol-singing service were interspersed by speeches reflecting what the most prominent speaker, Archbishop Tutu, called a struggle against injustice.

Archbishop Tutu’s Speech in Beit Sahour

“People of South Africa love the story of the Shepherds because shepherds are more important than the world thinks, shepherds are important for God, or God has a special caring for those the world thinks are not important. God sides with those the world despises, that God is with those whom the world brutalizes, that God is with those whom it oppresses. Those at home love the story because it tells the truth. Did not St. Paul say: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Our people know in their hearts, it is assured that they will be free, that their struggle is not in vain. Remember I am talking about South Africa!”

He affirmed that: ”There is no hope for peace in the Holy Land without a Palestinian State.” He also cited the struggle of persecuted blacks in his country as a source of inspiration to Palestinians in the territories.

Mayor of Beit Sahour, Mr. Hanna Al-Atrash welcomed the town’s honorable guest, and said: “Your Intifada and our Intifada are sisters.” Israeli peace activist, Hillel Barden addressed the masses saying: “I wish this will be the last Christmas you will celebrate under occupation.” He then asked the people: “Can we live together in peace?” “Yes”, the people shouted back and chanted, “We want peace”. He then added: “Thanks to Archbishop Tutu, no one can close your mouth tonight. No one can prevent you from being heard.”