The Israeli army invades Beit Sahour and searches cars

Sunday May 04, 2008 00:31 by IMEMC Staff

Around eight Israeli soldiers barged into the town of Beit Sahour, located near Bethlehem, in the southern part of the West Bank on Saturday afternoon.

Israeli troops stopping cars and searching civilians in Beit Shour today – Photo by IMEMC's Ghassan Bannoura

The soldiers marched into the town and positioned themselves near the Greek Orthodox Church of Shepherd's Field in the northern side of town. Troops stopped and searched a number of local Palestinian cars and pedestrians.

As soon as IMEMC's Ghassan Bannoura arrived at the scene soldiers ordered him to stop taking photos. hen he did not comply with the troops' orders, he was detained for 15 minutes and was forced to leave the area, and was threatened to be taken prisoner if he refuses to leave.

The town of Beit Sahour is under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, according to the 1995 Oslo accords signed by the Palestinians and Israelis.

Beit Sahour, one mile east of Bethlehem, is also known as, the Shepherd's Field, where according to the Biblical story, the angels told the shepherds about the birth of Jesus, and is considered one of the touristic attractions.

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Israeli troops in Beit Shour on Saturday – Photo by IMEMC's Ghassan Bannoura