MIDDLE EAST: Two Palestinian activists who took refuge in Ireland may now be allowed to return to their homes. Mr Jihad Jara (33) and Mr Rami Kamel (24), were among 13 Palestinians deported to different EU states by the Israeli government after the May, 2002, siege of the Nativity Church in Bethlehem, revered as the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
The Palestinian Minister for Negotiations, Mr Saeb Erekat, said at the weekend that Israel had agreed in principle to allow all 56 Palestinians who were exiled to Europe or to the Gaza Strip after the Nativity Church episode to return home.
This was confirmed last night by the Palestinian Delegate-General to Ireland, Mr Ali Halimeh, who told The Irish Times, "There is an agreement with Israel in principle that those who were deported from the Nativity Church will return back to their towns and cities." But it is understood from other sources that the deportees will be processed on a case-by-case basis. This is expected to take two weeks.