Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble [Paperback]

Mitri Raheb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2004

The pastor of Christmas Church, a Palestinian Lutheran congregation, Mitri Raheb here presents a powerful collection of compelling personal stories of desperation and hope in the midst of lethal conflict, bringing the Palestinian/Israeli conflict up close and personal. Raheb's lifelong commitment to his people has kept him in the legendary birthplace of Christianity, even as Bethlehem has become a flashpoint in the world's most volatile and hate-filled conflict. His passionate personal testimony lifts up the stray gesture toward friendship, the brave attempts to rebuild life and livelihood in a destroyed land, and the unquenchable desire for justice and peace.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a heartrending account of what has happened to ordinary people, and how they have lived and survived (in) Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. It should shake us out of complicity with the injustice being visited on ordinary people." --Desmond Tutu, Retired Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa

From the Publisher

--An eyewitness account from one of the most visible and active Palestinians
--Photos of the siege of Bethlehem in 2003
--People, episodes, and situations that illuminate the Palestinian/Israeli conflict
--Embodying the nonviolent path in the most trying of circumstances

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishers (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800636538
• ISBN-13: 978-0800636531
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #570,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good But not Excellent, December 19, 2005

By 

Y. Katanacho (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble (Paperback)

Raheb writes his book as an "act of nonviolent resistance: resisting being silenced, resisting being a spectator, and resisting giving up" (vii). He wants his book to be a witness against the Israeli military oppressive approaches and excessive use of force. At the same time, he wants his readers to avoid being indifferent to the cries of Palestinians and instead participate in creating a better future.

The book is divided into three main sections: (1) Under Siege, (2) Life under Occupation, and (3) Glimpses of Hope. The first section describes the Israeli invasion of Bethlehem in April 2002 and the suffering of Bethlehem's Palestinian citizens as a result of the actions and behavior of the Israeli soldiers. The second section describes the author's life under occupation. He is continually deprived from his basic human rights due to the Arab-Israeli conflict. He states that he graduated from high school without a graduation party (55), he married without a wedding party (58), his father in law died because Palestinians and their ambulances are denied free access to hospitals in Jerusalem (61-69), his car can only drive within few miles radius due to Israeli check points that require passing permits only from Palestinians (75-77), and traveling outside Palestine is extremely hard due to Israeli regulations (79-83). The third section focuses on stories that provoke hope. In this section, Raheb advocates more explicitly his understanding on non-violent creative resistance. The latter includes peaceful marches (95-103), art (105-109), children's ministries (111-116), putting the "power of culture" to work via different programs (122), encouraging people to work creatively in the midst of oppression (135-141), committing ourselves to destroy the walls of enmity as we transform our enemies into our neighbors (146-147), and planning for a peaceful world by giving our future-hope a present serving hands (156-157).

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What it's like to live under an oppressive occupation, November 27, 2005

By 

Peter J. Nagle (US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble (Paperback)

If you want a clear headed description of what it's like to live under occupation, read this book. Then you will be able decide whether it's "propaganda", or some of these phony "reviews" are. Nowhere in this book, or in any other venue, does Rev Raheb defend violence by anyone.

In order to enforce its occupation, Israel must use force - violence. This book is a rendering of what that violence is like to experience on the receiving end. If you're interested in understanding that better, read this book. You won't be disappointed. You'll be enlightened.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Insiders' View, March 30, 2007

By 

Pilgrim Pastor (Northern NY State, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble (Paperback)

A powerful telling of what seems to be the common experience of prople I meet when in Bethlehem. Not a "fun read," but an important read.