June 4, 2002

Bullets at Johnny's and JZ's

[Bethlehem, Palestine] Remember Johnny and JZ from our trip to Jordan earlier this year? Recently I went to their Bethlehem homes to see various bullet damage from one of the Israeli invasions. Fortunately neither was in his place when the shooting started. (For the record, neither guy claims to be a terrorist, although they both can get fairly aggressive when placed near large quantities of delicious kabobs.)

Johnny's place was hit worse. He had a lot of damage to his door and windows. His college textbooks were shot though as were a few items in his home. Soldiers entered and overturned the place.

JZ had most of his windows shot out. His ceiling and some furnishings are pockmarked with holes. His only jacket has a new hole too. JZ is on a second floor apartment supplied by the International Center of Bethlehem (ICB), Rev. Mitri Raheb's peace organization. The ICB gift shop on the first floor beneath JZ did not fare as well. The damage to the large metal doors, the glass walls, and the gift inventory was extensive.

Johnny's door took a few bullets before Israeli soldiers were able to open it.

Johnny and JZ survey the damage.

Johnny's study area was shot up. Bullets were lodged in his reference textbooks.

JZ is glad he wasn't wearing this jacket when the shooting started.

International Center of Bethlehem's giftshop door under JZ's apartment.