Palestinian attempt to conquer Rachel's Tomb not covered by Israel Radio
Aaron Lerner Date: 4 December 2000

Army Radio reported in their morning news reports that the Palestinians attempted last night to conquer Rachel's Tomb. IMRA asked Israel Radio why they did not cover the story (they mentioned that a helicopter fired two rockets at a source of Palestinian fire at the Eida refugee camp next to Bethlehem without explaining the context). The newsroom responded by thanking IMRA for bringing the story to their attention.

The following is IMRA's translation of the report as broadcast on Army Radio (text in Hebrew on http://glz.msn.co.il/html/news/news/news.asp)

PALESTINIAN ATTEMPT TO CONQUER RACHEL'S TOMB

The Palestinians tried last night to conquer Rachel's Tomb, located on the outskirts of Bethlehem. The Palestinians, in a three-pronged attack, succeeded to get within tens of meters of the holy site.

A senior military source confirmed this morning that this was the fiercest Palestinian attack against Israeli security forces since violence broke out in the territories.

Three Palestinians were wounded in the event and two houses burned. There were no Israeli casualties.

Our correspondent in the territories, Yanon Magal, reports that the heavy exchange of fire continued for hour. During the course of the shooting, helicopters fired missiles at the sources of Palestinian fire in the Eida refugee camp.

This morning it was quiet in Bethlehem.