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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Bethlehem City Hall now 31,789th holiest place in Islam
2005-12-20
About two dozen gunmen on Tuesday briefly seized Bethlehem's city hall on Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, demanding jobs in the Palestinian security forces. After about an hour, the gunmen tied to the ruling Fatah movement met with Bethlehem's governor and then walked out of the building. It was not immediately clear how the standoff was resolved.
No doubt with a loose end or misunderstanding or three to create context for them to come back next time and take it over for good...
Hundreds of Palestinian police and onlookers rushed to Manger Square for the car swarm after the gunmen appeared on the roof of city hall, pointing their weapons toward the crowd. Police sealed the streets leading to Manger Square. The incident took place just four days before Christmas. The Church of the Nativity, one of Christianity's holiest shrines, stands over the grotto where tradition says Jesus was born.
Posted by:Seafarious

#13  #9 - OCS - I first passed thru Austin, TX in 1990, noticed the UT tower, and called out, "Charles Whitman!"

The Texans in the car were impressed. The shooter from the 60's, yes? (Middle child graduated from UT in 2001).
Posted by: Bobby   2005-12-20 21:48  

#12  Of course Muslims will say that Jesus is in the Koran and this is sort of true.

However, the Jesus in the Koran is named "Isa" so he has been confused with the character Esau (brother of Jacob) on one hand. Isa is also called the son of Miriam (Moses's sister) according to 3:34-35. Also, according to the Koran (4:157-158) Jesus didn't die on the cross like the Christian claim, nor did the Jews kill him as the Jews claim (yes, oddly the Jews falsely claim they killed Jesus and better yet the Jews will be punished for this false claim per 149 of that chapter).
Posted by: mhw   2005-12-20 17:01  

#11  The masked gunmen verse was ditched after Vatican II. But I hear Benedict XVI is working on the new helizap verse now.
Posted by: Seafarious   2005-12-20 16:25  

#10  Come on, everybody sing..."Oh little town of Bethlehem...."

Is there a verse about masked gunmen?
Posted by: Super Hose   2005-12-20 16:15  

#9  two dozen gunmen on Tuesday briefly seized Bethlehem's city hall on Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, demanding jobs in the Palestinian security forces

I understand Charles Whitman was trying to get into crisis management.
Posted by: Oil Can Spemble1220   2005-12-20 15:11  

#8  Emily, reminder, we need to use tu's 'Pali Civil Service Exam' in future snarky headlines and comments.

Thanks, tu, for the laugh!
Posted by: Steve White   2005-12-20 15:11  

#7  Don't even ask about their "Merry Christmas" greeting policy...
Posted by: danking_70   2005-12-20 15:10  

#6  CF, Bethlehem is a infidel stronghold, which puts it pretty high on the list. If a gunny manages to get hisself martyred, it will rise even higher.
Posted by: Seafarious   2005-12-20 13:48  

#5  So I guess this means we Christians can take Mecca and Medina right?

And isn't that number a bit low? I am sure the Profit farted in a few more places which whould place this somewhere in the 43,000'th holest place in Islam...
Posted by: CrazyFool   2005-12-20 13:35  

#4  Have the Moravians converted?
Posted by: Flomosing Huponter4377   2005-12-20 13:08  

#3  Had me thrown for a loop - I thought the headline referred to Bethlehem, PA.
Posted by: Zhang Fei   2005-12-20 13:05  

#2  Lol, tu.

"It was not immediately clear how the standoff was resolved."

Kowtowing, perhaps?
Posted by: .com   2005-12-20 13:03  

#1  About two dozen gunmen on Tuesday briefly seized Bethlehem's city hall on Manger Square near the Church of the Nativity, demanding jobs in the Palestinian security forces.

Another Pali Civil Service Exam?
Posted by: tu3031   2005-12-20 12:59  

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