Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-23
Holy Lond Seethes
With War Fever

patriarch now must take q cir
cuitous route to east and south in
order not to cross the military
frontier.
In the distance. to the west. the
blue and white flag Of the United
Nations flies over a building setting
almost alone on a hill. This hill
was known to the ancients as 1.-THE
Hill of Evil Counsel" the place
where the high priests and phari-
sees plotted the crucifixion Of
Christ.
Atop the hill today is the build
ing housing headquarters of the
United Nations truce supervision
organization. This organization
has supervised the Arab-Israeli
armistice since 1949 with varying
degrees Of success.
Worlike Vistos
The peace-keeping headquarters
overlookS war preparations in all
directions. On the rocky slopes
around Jerusalem are groves of
flg and olive trees. These groves
are usually surrounded by stone
walls. Inside these walls is the
inevitable stone grotto.
In the cave will be living a shep-
herd looking after the flocks of
sheep and goats which he takes
out every day for grazing. IN such
a grotto. part stable and part hui
man habitation, Jesus was born
nearly 1000 years ago.
Beneath the protective leaves Of
the fig and olive trees armored cars,
antiaircraft guns and troop trans
ports hide today.
A few miles beyond the Hill of
Evil Counsel the road comes within
sight Of Israeli territory. Looking
up q slope from the road you can
see Israeli troops manning gun po-
sitions while on the. fields behind
Israeli farmers work the land.
At the point where the old road
from Jerusalem meets the longer
route. Jordan soldiers stand guard
amid barbed-wire entanglements.
In other years. despite the tense
situation. the road was always
cleared Of mines and opened for
one day-Christma Eve--so the
consuls Of Jerusalem could make
their annual procession to the mid
night mass in Bethlehem, Where
for centuries they have been hon.
ored guests.
But this year. because Jordan
French diplomatic relations were
broken of in the Suez crisis, Jor-
danians objected to the presence
Of the French Consul and the use
Of the southern road.
The consuls decided to abandon
the procession. To them the south
ern route was traditional. running
over the old Roman road repeatedly
used by Mary and Joseph on their
way to Bethlehem.
The Bosic Couse
Approaching Bethlehem on either
side Of the road one sees the basic
cause Of trouble in the Holy Land
today. Here acres Of tent camps
cover the slopes. Inhabitants of
these camps are Arab refugees,
driven from their homes on the
Israeli side of the line. A million
refugees live around the perimeter
Of Israel and VOW some day to re-
turn home. Peace appears remote
until the claims Of these people
have been satisfied somehow.
Just beyond the refugee camps
the Church of the Nativity sets on
a hill on the edge Of the little town
of Bethlehem. On the church are
three bell towers representing the
three great faiths which own the
church-Armenian, Orthodox and
Catholic.
A massive star mounted above the
bell towers Is lighted on Christmas
Eve. 1t can be seen for miles
around, by Arab and Jew alike.
And as the star was an inspiration
to wise men who once came from
the East. so today 1t Is q hopeful
sign that peace ultimately may
come to the divided Holy Land.
tine Associated PressD