Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble

by Mitri Raheb

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.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, History, Christian, Christianity, Politics

170 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was written by a Palestinian Christian, the pastor of a Lutheran church in Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus. He writes movingly of the events surrounding the nearby siege of the Church of the Nativity.

He describes with vivid language the horrors of the siege and the plight of the Palestinian people who suffered constantly from oppression and warfare experienced at terrifyingly close range. Yet the book is not uniformly depressing, because it describes the people's efforts to rebuild after the damage had been done, as well as efforts undertaken to transcend the status of victim, to become self-sufficient and to nurture their children. There are also very encouraging instances of Jews, Christians and Muslims reaching out to one another to foster solidarity and mutual understanding.

[Trinki Brueckner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dates to the early 2000s and is written by the pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. It recounts the incursions of the Israeli military - their destruction of buildings, killings, and occupation. This eye-witness account of one who stands between Jews and Palestinian Arabs is well-written; it was hard and sad to read.

[Glenn Wishnew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that offers insights into the daily struggles of the Palestinian people. Also very honest about the conflict from both the Israeli and Palestinian perspectives.

[Seth Skogerboe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pastor is angry, and rightfully angry. Read for a glimpse through the eyes and heart of a Palestinian Christian.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Mitri Raheb, is a noted Lutheran pastor and Palestinian Christian who has long served and grown up in Bethlehem. This powerful, moving, and concise account of his congregation's life in the early 2000s under Israeli occupation is one of the best ways into the whole situation. His focus is on actual life as a Christian pastor, father, husband under decades of Israeli rule.

Couple tidbits:

"How long can we as Palestinians carry this heavy burden of occupation and still carry on with our lives? For how long can we handle such a burden of harassment, humiliation, invasions, closures, and confiscations without collapsing and getting crushed underneath it?" (86)

"We also carry the sins of the Jewish people. Those who were traumatized by their experience of persecution developed a hunger for acquisition of more and more power. Israel became obsessed with power. The Israelis hated their former persecutors but deep down were also impressed with them, wanting to become as powerful. The sense of insecurity of European Jews was transformed into a security syndrome. Security became the golden calf of the Jewish state. As Palestinian people, we are paying the price of this Israeli obsession." (89)

[Sven · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a personal account of destruction and renewal, fear and hope in a land that has too much of the former and not enough of the later.

Doctor Raheb is the pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine. His powerful voice brings home the daily suffering and isolation experienced by many Palestinians as they are imprisoned in their homes and cities. But he didn't stop there. He and others have been building hope, with a school, conference center, and now Dar Al Kalima College, educating young people so they can stay in their homeland and find hope for the future within a system that seems bent on driving them out.

I recommend this short easily read volume to anyone who wants a perspective on life in Palestine beyond the headlines.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitri Raheb's account of life in Bethlehem, especially during the years 2000-2004, is a quick and powerful read. He tells personal stories from his own life, his family's life, and the lives of parishioners and neighbors in Bethlehem that put human faces on the truth of the everyday harsh realities of the Occupation. His biblical and theological reflections on those realities give a profound witness and explain the otherwise inexplicable hope that he and others have and live.

[Jenny]

I read this for book group. Raheb does a great job of portraying the Palestinian Christian viewpoint. He maintains hope in what could be a desperately sad and angry situation. The information was very valuable, but the presentation sometimes could have used a little polish. It was interesting to think about what modern day Bethlehem is like.

[Becky Ahrendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lutheran Pastor, Mitri Raheb, tells of experiences from April 2002 to Christmas 2003 as he and his family experience Israeli occupation of Bethlehem. The injustice of curfews not letting people out of their homes for days, weeks, months. Their inability to get food, water, work could be so depressing, but they have found ways to give hope and support and rebuilding is always happening.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a Palestinian Evangelical Lutheran minister who leads the congregation at Christmas Lutheran Church in the heart of Bethlehem. He has a unique and unifying view of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict. An easy, inspiring read.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book because of the book club I was in, and it blew my mind. It was fascinating to hear the Palestinian point of view from a Christian minister. The stories--all true--are heart wrenching.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone who cares about peace in the Holy Lands should read this!
I met Mitri Raheb on my recent trip to Israel/Palestine this past April and he is as inspiring as his writing.

[The Nomadic Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

**** 1/4