Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Standoff in Bethlehem Comes to End

Aired May 10, 2002 - 14:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: To the West Bank town of Bethlehem now, where a standoff that seemed so close to ending so many times finally has, and Walter Rodgers was there when the doors opened at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): The evacuation of Palestinians from Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity was nearly perfectly scripted, in marked contrast to the awkward diplomatic maneuverings to end the standoff earlier this week.

Each of the Palestinians voluntarily left his gun inside the church built over the site where Christian tradition holds Jesus was born.

But some of the men Israel accused of blatant acts of terror were defiant till the end. Others showed gunshot wounds suffered during Israel's 5-1/2 week siege. 13 Palestinians knew they were being exiled and would never see their homeland again, if Israel has its way.

Israel demanded those 13 deported, exiled in Europe. They are now in Cypress, waiting for other countries to take them.

26 others face internal exile in Gaza. Many are under age 30.

Their families grieved, wept and wailed. Deportation and exile are perceived worse than death by this people so attached to land. There never was a chance to say goodbye.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): I went to the Israelis and said don't you have a mother? I just want to see him, for God's sake.

RODGERS: Most of the Palestinians inside the church, however, those simply caught up in the rush to escape Israeli tanks 5-1/2 weeks ago, look forward to happier homecomings.

Bethlehem's Palestinians heaved the biggest sigh of relief.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I want to see him and to hug him and kiss him, very, very much. RODGERS: In what seemed a deliberate attempt to avoid humiliating Palestinians, Israeli soldiers stayed far back from the door of the Church of the Nativity. Men the Israeli government called terrorists, alleged engineers of suicide bombings, were treated by Israeli soldiers almost as worthy adversaries.

An Israeli brigadier general expressed a readiness to quickly evacuate his soldiers from Bethlehem.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE SOLDIER: I think we want to get out of here. We want to get free of the occupation more than they do.

RODGERS: When Palestinians left this church, it looked more lived-in than damaged, with plenty of debris and trash left about.

And when the doors reopened, Bethlehem residents, Christians and Muslims, quickly came to inspect their shared landmark. Most precious, the grotto, said to be the birthplace of Jesus. It appeared to have suffered no damage.

(on camera): While this venerable old church was not as badly damaged as originally feared, it will take sometime to repair it, and it may be much, much longer before Christians feel comfortable enough to again return to Bethlehem on their pilgrimages.

Walter Rodgers, CNN, inside the Church of the Nativity.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com