Exiled Palestinian militants speak

Militants left the besieged church for Gaza or exile in Europe

When Israeli soldiers surrounded the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem everyone took notice.

The stand-off between the troops in Nativity Square and the Palestinians trapped inside the church came to symbolise for the outside world the disintegration of the Middle East peace process. And it also galvanised the world to action.

Diplomatic efforts intensified, and eventually, after 38 days, a deal was struck to end the siege. The biggest sticking-point had been the presence of a group of Palestinian militants among those who had taken refuge - 13 of whom were described by the Israelis as among the most dangerous terrorists in the land.

The deal involved the men' s removal first to a hotel in Cyprus, and then their exile to various European countries. Until now, none of the 13 has spoken about what happened.

But now two of the men, who were sent to Ireland, have agreed to give their only broadcast interview to the World at One.

Jihad Jaara and Rami Kamel have been granted temporary resident status for a year and are living under police protection in a safe house.

They met our reporter Jon Manel at a secret location, to give their account of those 38 days.

The Israeli government told us they stood by the allegations they've made against all the Palestinian militants who were exiled to Europe at the end of the Bethlehem siege.

We asked the Israeli Defence Minister to appear on the programme but were told he doesn't respond to interviews with people he considers to be terrorists.

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Click on the link above right to hear Jon's interview.