“A beacon of light and hope”
Bethlehem University hosts guests from the UK

5 November 2007

Shocked by the difficult situation of the people living in the occupied Palestinian territories, Della Shenton, a Pastoral Liturgist in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Plymouth and member of the Diocesan Liturgy Commission and Company Accountant, founded the UK-based not-for-profit company Fifth Gospel Retreats. The aim of the company is to support Palestinian Christians and projects that promote peace in the Holy Land by importing and selling Palestinian goods and organizing trips to the region. As part of those trips Della Shenton has led several groups to Bethlehem University, which she considers a “beacon of light and hope and an example for success through steady and faithful endurance”, adding that “visiting this place is always extremely inspiring”.

A group of 10 people traveling with Fifth Gospel Tours visited Bethlehem University on December 27th. After an introduction to the University’s Chapel of the Divine Child, a discussion with Bethlehem University staff and a tour through Turathuna, the Palestinian Cultural Heritage Center of Bethlehem University, the visitors knew more about life on campus and the difficult situation of the young generation of Palestinians.

The group was welcomed by the University’s Vice President for Development, Brother Jack Curran, Public Relations Officer Dina Awwad and Public Relations and Development Assistant Max Brenner. During the tour Brother Jack and Ms. Awwad informed them of the obstacles Bethlehem University faces due to the Israeli military occupation.

Ms. Awwad, who graduated from Bethlehem University in 2005, explained how students from outside the Bethlehem area often take a long time to reach the University due to the separation wall and delays at the checkpoints. “There is actually a distance of 10 kilometers between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, but it often takes students up to two hours to reach Bethlehem. The problem is that there are not only the regular checkpoints which delay travel, but cars and busses can be stopped and checked anywhere. These unexpected and arbitrary control mechanisms frequently make students come late to their classes.” 

Brother Jack added that the travel restrictions are also having a negative impact on the variety of academic programs Bethlehem University offers. “Five years ago we were able to offer our students professional training as tour guides, which is a wonderful opportunity in a region that has such a high attraction for tourists. However, such professional training also requires visiting and learning about tourist sights located in Israel. And as most of the Palestinians from the West Bank are forbidden to enter Israel, we have not been able to offer the program for some years now.”

Ms. Awwad, however, stressed that the students and the Bethlehem University faculty and staff do not give up hope, “Struggling for high quality education continues to be the most effective form of non-violent resistance for us.”

Bethlehem University was delighted to host:

Mrs Della Shenton

Mrs Marguerite Duncan

Mr George Gardner

Dr Tristan Griffin

Dr Harry Heijveld

Mrs Penny Knowle

Mr Eric Machmer

Mrs Joanne Machmer

Mrs Penny Mole

Mrs Karen Rowberry

Dr Tony Watkins