DOWN Christian Pilgrims Oppose Withdrawal Bethlehem (JTA) — Concerned about the future of their holy sites once Israeli troops with- draw from Palestinian towns and cities on the West Bank, 1,000 Christian pilgrims flocked to Bethlehem to demand con- tinued Israeli sovereignty over what they termed the "Biblical Land of Israel." In a rally punctuated with singing and prayer, the Christ- ian demonstrators expressed fear that the Palestinian Au- thority would not safeguard the rights of Christians to pray at their holy sites. - Most of the demonstrators were in Israel to take part in the International Christian Em- bassy's annual Feast of Taber- nacles. Several of those interviewed noted that under the terms of the Interim Agreement signed by Israel and the Palestinians in Washington on Sept. 28, au- thority over Bethlehem will be handed over to the Palestinians just before Christmas. Waving banners proclaiming that "Bethlehem Will Be Jewish Forever," the pilgrims were joined by several Jewish resi- \--, dents of the West Bank who voiced their own concerns about an Israeli redeployment. Said Yigal Klein, a 17-year- old resident of Gilo, located near Jerusalem, "Gilo is right next to Bethlehem, and one day very soon the army won't be here. This isn't just a Jewish issue, so \_ I'm pleased to see Christian sup- porters here in Bethlehem." Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, the chief rabbi of Efrat who has led often-stormy settler protests against the Interim Agreement, told the crowd, "We welcome with all our hearts the confir- mation that this is our land. The peace process has brought Jews and Christian believers closer than ever." Though some of the partici- pants called the gathering an apolitical prayer meeting, the majority openly expressed con- cern about the Palestinian Au- thority's ability — and desire — to safeguard Bethlehem and oth- \-1 or West Bank sites. "We are concerned about Christian sites falling into Arab hands," said Jim lbale from the Philippines. 'We can't be sure if they will allow us to visit them. "As Christians, we are here today to support Israel and to pray for peace," he added. "Those / who bless Israel will also be blessed." Referring to the belief, held by many Christians, that Jesus' Second Cominviilloccur only after the Jews have returned to Zion, International Christian Embassy spokesman Jan Willem van der Hoeven said, "If we give up Bethlehem, we will not see the prophesy." Mr. Van der Hoeven also ex- pressed fears over the safety of the West Bank's Christian mi- nority if self-rule is extended throughout the territories. "In Lebanon, we saw Chris- tians murdered by Arafat's men. Thousands of Christians have been raped and killed," he said. The Rev. Jesse Stines, from Elk Park, N.C., concurred: "I be- lieve Christians are in danger because of Muslim attitudes. Christians are persecuted in most countries, so why should it be any different here?" Oklahoma Victims Offered Relief Washington (JTA) — Marking the six-month anniversary of the deadly bombing that ripped apart the Oklahoma City feder- al building, B'nai B'rith Inter- national presented the people of Oklahoma with $515,000 for dis- aster relief at a Capitol Hill cer- emony. Members of Congress and B'nai B'rith officials used the oc- casion to call for the swift pas- sage of anti-terrorism legislation pending in Congress. Religious leaders, rescue workers, members of Congress, and Attorney General Janet Reno gathered at the ceremony hosted by Sen. Don Nickles, R- Okla., and B'nai B'rith to re- member the victims of the bombing and to pay tribute to the heroes who worked to save lives and heal the pain. B'nai B'rith presented Okla- homa's congressional delegation with a symbolic check repre- senting the more than $515,000 in contributions B'nai B'rith had collected from more than 10,000 people across the country. Anti-terrorism measures making their way through Con- gress would ban fund raising by terrorist groups, beef up crimi- nal sentences for convicted ter- rorists and give federal law enforcement agencies more tools to investigate suspected terror- ists. Ms. Reno, in her remarks, called on the American people to pull together and build partner- ships. "In the spirit of Oklahoma City, we must speak out against divisiveness, we must speak out against racism;” she said. 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