The Armenian archbishop in Israel was questioned under warning by police yesterday after he slapped a yeshiva student during a procession marking the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem's Old City. The archbishop slapped the student after the latter spat at the cross the Armenians were carrying and at Manougian himself.

In an editorial in Haaretz, Israel's Elite Paper, they write: "The Police and the The Interior Ministry did not make an effort to prevent the disgraceful phenomenon of spitting at priests and at the crosses they carry. That negligence, just like the bullying, is a disgrace to the state of the Jewish people, which was persecuted through the generations because of its religion and customs.

By Amiram Barkat and Editorial, Haaretz, October 11 and 12, 2004

For the First time in its history, the European Baptist Federation (EBF) held its annual meeting in the Middle East. The meeting was held in Beirut between September 22 and 26. It was an opportunity for Baptist Leaders in Europe to show their support for Middle Eastern Baptists

Special for Come and See, Baptist World Alliance Web site, Oct 11, 2004

The strange alliance between parts of the Evangelical Church and Israel's racist parties continues to produce embarrassing situations. While Pat Robertson declared that he met Israelis who are saying that Jesus is their Messiah, the "Christian Embassy" decided not to distribute tapes of Robertson's speech to the press, so it does not upset Israeli officials. The co-chair of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, Yuri Shtern of the right-wing National Union Party, said he was "very upset".

By Forward, JUDY LASH BALINT, October 8, 2004

Yohanna Katanacho is a Scholar from Palestine studying for his PHD at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. He writes a summery about the Christian Palestinian Arabs in the prestigious "Gap", published by John Stott Ministries.

"Instead of mourning dwindling numbers we should focus on presenting Christ to Muslims and to Jews, formulating an Arabic gospel that highlights the love of God, especially to enemies".

Special for Come and See, October 5, 2004

Over 4,000 Christians from 80 Countries will arrive in Jerusalem over the next week to take part in the 25th ?Silver Anniversary? celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, sponsored by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

The "Christian" Embassy claims to represent Evangelical Christians in the World. At the same time, it ignores the presence of Christians in Israel and Palestine and supports Israel's racist parties. This year's conference will feature Pat Robertson - a well known figure in Evangelical Circles that advocate Israel - And for the first time, Brother Yun from China.

News Source - Arutz Sheva, Sep 27, 2004

What a Shame: "There was lots of hitting going on. Police were hit, monks were hit ... there were people with bloodied faces," said a witness in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, reputed to be Golgotha where Christ was crucified, and the site of the tomb where he was buried.

Allyn Fisher-Ilan in Jerusalem, Tuesday September 28, 2004, The Guardian

Masked assailants beat the daughter of a Douglas County judge Wednesday as she and another Christian relief worker escorted Palestinian children to school in the West Bank.

Rich Meyer, spokesman for the Hebron-based Christian Peacemaker Teams, said Jewish settlers were responsible for the attack.

BY ERIN GRACE AND KRISTIN ZAGURSKI, WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER, Omaha, Sep 28, 2004

Leading members of the Anglican church will recommend that their decision-making body adopt an anti-Israel divestment policy similar to the one the Presbyterian church passed earlier this summer. The announcement, made yesterday in Jerusalem by representatives of the Anglican Peace and Justice Network (APJN), came at the close of the delegation's 10-day tour of the region.

By Daphna Berman, Haaretz, Sep 23, 2004

A group of intercessors who started praying for Bethlehem during the Intifada are calling friends to join for 40 days of prayer for the Holy Land in General and for the Bethlehem area in particular.

The idea was birthed is the heart of Karin Boydgian and Arlette Flefel. In the email request they sent to friends, they ask to pray for "the Seperation Wall to tumble down and to be dismantled peacefully since to say that the wall merely inflicts hardship on the people is a gross understatement. There is a sense of helplessness and hopelessness that is generating a lot of anger. There is fear and uncertainty of what the future holds".

Special for Come and See, Sep 7, 2004