FROM  THE  PRESIDENT-VICE CHANCELLOR

Dear Friends,

I write these lines en route to Paris and then on to Munster, Germany, where I have been invited to address the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem at the Installation Ceremonies of new members. The German Lieutenancy, of which University Regent Madame Elisabeth Verreet is a member, has been extremely generous to our University.

A few hours ago at the airport in Tel Aviv I experienced what so many of our faculty, staff and students experience every day as they fight their ways through checkpoints, blockades, circuitous routes and repeated humiliations to get to the University.  Although I have listened to their stories repeatedly (note the story of Abeer, Bayan and Linda in this issue),  and thought I understood, it was today that I experienced personally the degrading reality of their everyday lives.

I, a US citizen, a De La Salle Christian Brother, and currently President-Vice Chancellor of Bethlehem University, was reduced to complete helplessness by young employees of Airport Security, during a one-and-a-half-hour ordeal of repeated questioning, interminable intervals of waiting while others arriving later than I were allowed to pass through, the searching of every item of clothing in my bag and the arrogant opening of several wrapped gifts intended as presents to benefactors—all in the name of security.

Why was I subjected to this dehumanizing treatment?  Was it that I bear the name of an Arab-American? That I live in Bethlehem? Or give the appearance of a terrorist? Or was it that I refused to allow one of the interrogators to see a copy of my talk as I respectfully but firmly said, "I believe your question is inappropriate; this has absolutely nothing to do with your security or with mine"?

After boarding the plane and trying to forget the unnerving experience, I took out a rough draft of this issue of the BUN, read the articles, glanced at the photos and reflected on the University. What I began to feel is what I really think our faculty, staff and students experience each day as they courageously find their way to the University.  I believe they find a place where everyone is accepted and treated with dignity and respect.  Where they can breathe fresh air, look at pretty flowers and greenery and enjoy a fountain of running water, symbol of life so scarce in their villages and camps and homes.  Where their minds and spirits are refreshed as they prepare for a new dawn of promise and peace.

Thank you for helping make all this possible, for believing in our institution and encouraging us to continue.  May you be richly blessed for your goodness to us.

Brother Vincent Malham

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