Israelis Shoot Armenian Monk!!!!!!!

[A.R.]

Armenian Orthodox monk shot and wounded in Bethlehem

Wed Apr 10, 8:38 AM ET

By IBRAHIM HAZBOUN, Associated Press Writer

 

BETHLEHEM, West Bank - An Armenian Orthodox monk was seriously wounded Wednesday at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity compound, and the Israeli army and Palestinians each claimed the other had opened fire on him.

 

The monk, identified as Armin Sinanian, 22, was undergoing surgery at Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital, where spokeswoman Yael Bossem-Levy said he was in serious condition. The hospital had no other information.

 

A Palestinian policeman, one of more than 200 armed Palestinians who remained holed up in the basilica built over Jesus traditional birth grotto, said by telephone that Israeli troops shot a monk after breaking open a door. The policeman refused to give his name. It was not immediately clear whether the door led into the compound or into the Church of the Nativity itself.

 

The policeman, who refused to give his name, said the monk's blood still stained the stone floor near the spot where he had been hanging clothes out to dry.

 

Capt. Jacob Dallal, an Israeli army spokesman, said shots were fired at troops as they made a delivery of food intended for the 60 priests and nuns inside the church compound. He said Palestinians opened fire, hitting the monk. Israeli soldiers, he added, did not return fire.

 

Israeli forces treated the monk and took him to Hadassah Hospital, Dallal said.

 

Israeli troops have surrounded the church, where Palestinian gunmen have been holed up for more than a week.

 

An Israeli tank remained outside the compound and a white balloon with surveillance cameras floated above, anchored to Manger Square by ropes. An army tent was set up next to St. Catherine's Church, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity.

 

[ April 10, 2002, 06:09 PM: Message edited by: A.R. ]

[A.R.]

The Armenian Community Is In A Rage In Washington DC and all over the world. Armenian Blood is not cheap you Israeli Devils!

 

XINHUA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE

April 10, 2002, Wednesday 11:44 AM Eastern Time

 

Israeli Troops Wound Monk in Bethlehem

 

GAZA, April 10

 

An Armenian monk was shot and seriously wounded Wednesday by Israeli

fire in the Church of the Nativity compound in Bethlehem,

Palestinians in Bethlehem said, adding that he was evacuated to a

hospital in Jerusalem.

 

The sources confirmed that the monk, 22, who was identified as Armin

Sinanian, was in the compound, where dozens of Palestinian gunmen

have been holed up with a group of monks since last week. The sources

said that the monk was undergoing surgery at the hospital.

 

Israeli radio quoted military sources as saying that according to an

initial investigation conducted by the army, it appears that the monk

was mistakenly shot by an Israeli sniper.

 

The monk, one of the four clergymen who wanted to take water into the

church, was shot and wounded when the sniper tried to hit an armed

man standing next to them, the report said.

 

According to Palestinian sources, the monk was shot by Israeli troops

positioned in the guest wing of the Franciscan monastery.

 

The Israeli military sources insisted that the wing is not part of

the monastery but is actually located in a nearby hotel, but the

Franciscans have disputed this, saying that the wing is part of the

Nativity Church compound.

[khodja]

A.R, Dinkjian or whoever you are. Why are you throwing a gasoline can into the barbeque pit??????????????????????????????????????????

[A.R.]

My Armenian Christian Brother Armin Sinanian, is laying in a hospital fighting for his life shot by a Israeli soldier and you blame me? I `am In a rage right now just like all my Armenian Brothers and Sisters throughout the world so I will not say what I really want to say to you. Good Day