Church seeks action on Bethlehem siege

The waiting goes on for those trapped in the town, too

By Jonny Dymond BBC correspondent in Bethlehem

The Greek Orthodox Church has called for international intervention to end the 17-day-old siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

In a statement issued by the Church, a spokesman said it held the Israeli Government responsible for the siege.

The tight blockade on Bethlehem will continue, Israel says

Several members of the Greek Orthodox order are sheltering within the Church of the Nativity.

In Bethlehem, little changes. Israeli troops and tanks surround the church, where some 200 people, including armed Palestinians, civilians and members of various religious orders, continue to shelter.

Planned march

Outside Israel, condemnation continues.

The Greek Orthodox Church has called upon Christians worldwide to make Sunday a "solidarity day" for the sheltering Palestinians and the church itself.

It has called for immediate intervention to stop what it calls the inhuman measures against the people and the stone of the church.

Peace activists have been trying to deliver food

The Greek Orthodox Church has asked Christians, Muslims and Jews to gather at the main entrance to Bethlehem and march to the Church of the Nativity.

Unless there is a radical change of heart from the Israeli army, that march will go nowhere.

The entire Bethlehem area is under extensive curfew enforced by soldiers who are not slow to reach for their weapons.

Negotiations to end the siege were supposed to take place on Friday but did not.

For the residents of Bethlehem and the occupants of the church, the long wait continues.