Clergywoman calls for action over the plight of Today’s citizens of Bethlehem amidst the carol services

A Nottinghamshire clergywoman has been shocked by living conditions in the ‘besieged’ city of Bethlehem, after a fact-finding visit to the troubled city. And as the Archbishop of Canterbury joins Cardinal Murphy O'Connor this week in a pilgrimage to Bethlehem, she hopes to raise more awareness of the plight of Palestinian Christians who are denied work, food education, medicine, dignity, and hope, as they are separated by the 28ft wall which surrounds the city.

The Revd Gail Spencer, Assistant curate at St Mary’s Radcliffe-on-Trent, hopes the plight of Bethlehem’s citizens will be remembered by Christians, especially in the run-up to Christmas and the celebrations and carol services all centred on the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.

She said: “I felt angry that, as an international visitor, I had more freedom to travel within Israel and the Occupied Territories than Palestinians. And I felt it was wrong that Palestinians are treated as second-class citizens - even those who live in Israel and are Israeli citizens.”

Gail saw the hardships first hand as she visited Palestinian families who were unable to travel freely, whether for work, food or even to visit close relatives in hospital.

She is calling on Christians across the county to pray, talk about the situation, visit the Holy Land for themselves and support organisations which promote peace and justice between Israelis and Palestinians.

“I would like people to remember the plight of these people, when they sing ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ this year at carol services around the diocese,” she said.

Gail joined some 250 participants earlier this month from all over the world for the 6th International Sabeel Conference. It was called “the Forgotten Faithful”  and aimed to raise awareness of conditions of all those who live in Israel/Palestine, while also encouraging people to work together across the different faiths.

Next March Gail will be leading a pilgrimage out in the Holy Land, for further details contact Gail tel. 0115 933 6068

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