Members of the Jerusalem Chorus have decided to perform the annual Christmas concert at Qalandya checkpoint Monday, December 16th, 2002 at 11 a.m., as a sign of protest against the Israeli occupation. Since members of the Chorus are not allowed to go to Jerusalem and Bethlehem (due to the numerous Israeli checkpoints imposed around all of the Palestinian towns and villages) to perform the annual Christmas concert, they decided to defy the Israeli occupation forces and held the concert at the checkpoint.

We urge people of conscience around the world to break the silence and act for the sake of humanity in this holy season, where children cannot reach their schools, farmers their fields, patients the hospitals, families cannot meet, and the faithful cannot reach the holy places of worship.

The Ramallah performance will be held on Sunday, December 15th, 2002 at 6 p.m. at the Latin Church.

Media members are urged to attend both the Ramallah performance as well as the Qalandya checkpoint performance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT DR. CHRISTO BURSHEH ON 059 657631

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About the Jerusalem Chorus

The Jerusalem Chorus was established in 1955. Until June 1967, it practiced and performed at the St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem. It also performed in Amman, the last time being in May 1967 where it performed Faure's Requiem.

After the occupation and for 20 years, it practiced and performed at the YWCA in Jerusalem. During most of this period the conductor was Salwa Tabri. The chorus consists of Palestinian and International members who enjoy singing together. Usually, it gives two performances a year, one around Christmas time and one in the Spring.

Since the beginning of the Intifada in December 1987 and until October 1994 activities of the Chorus were frozen and it resumed its functions in the fall of 1994.