YMCA Facilities Suffer Multiple Attacks by Israeli Missiles and Live Bullets - 28 October 2000
The YMCA in Beit Sahour was subject to an unprecedented attack by the Israeli Occupation forces. Israeli Helicopters and forces in the "Osh Al-ghurab" military camp near Beit Sahour joined in the attack.
Bombing and shooting started from around 5:00 PM on Friday 27 October 2000 until 2:30 AM on Saturday 28 October 2000. The neighboring houses were also subject to direct hits, which caused severe damages and terrorized its residents especially the children.
The assault resulted in damages to all the YMCA facilities by many bombs and a massive number of bullets of all descriptions and sizes. The administration offices, the training hall, the men and women dormitories, the special bus for transporting the physically challenged, the "Play Therapy" room, developed especially to ease the psychological stress from the children who are victims of violence, the vocational training department and even the facilities that serve the Shepherds field visitors were exposed to direct hits.
The Young Men Christian Association being an association that provides humanistic services to the physically challenged, to the victims of political violence and to the marginalized sector of the Palestinian people, questions the meaning of this assault on our premises and the wisdom behind it, we declare that this assault shall further enhance our commitment and adherence to the destiny and the just cause of our Palestinian people. We deem the assault as a fierce attack on all International declarations, resolutions and practices. The assault is a clear violation of human rights and specifically to the Geneva Convention in relation to protection of civilians under occupation.
We appeal to all bodies concerned about peace and security to all people to support our efforts in order to: