World Council of Churches General Secretary visits Ecumenical Accompaniers in West Bank
EAPPI News Release
In Jayyous, the General Secretary Rev Dr Sam Kobia, saw first hand how the town is cut off from its land by the separation barrier. He spoke with a farmer returning from his fields that are located on the other side of the barrier, as he passed through a gate monitored by Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs).
EAPPI News Release
In Jayyous, the General Secretary Rev Dr Sam Kobia, saw first hand how the town is cut off from its land by the separation barrier. He spoke with a farmer returning from his fields that are located on the other side of the barrier, as he passed through a gate monitored by Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs).
In Hebron, the delegation visited a family under constant harassment from Israeli settlers living illegally in the city. The family explained how the EAs provide a protective presence.
The delegation travelled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, walking through the terminal with EAs at the end of the day, when Palestinian workers were returning home. They then visited Aida Refugee camp, and saw how the wall has cut children off from their playing areas.
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) Jerusalem based staff jointly hosted a reception with the Jerusalem Inter-Church Centre for the General Secretary’s delegation, Church leaders, Church Related Organisations, and Israeli and Palestinian EAPPI partners.
The WCC General Secretary’s visit follows the launch of the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Forum. The forum will be guided by three fundamental imperatives: the ethical imperative for a just peace; the ecumenical imperative for unity in action; and the Gospel imperative for costly solidarity.
EAPPI is seen as an important vehicle for the Forum’s work and more support and investment in the programme is anticipated.
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) supports Palestinians and Israelis working for peace by monitoring and reporting violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, offering protection by accompanying local communities in daily activities, and by advocating with churches for a peaceful end to the Occupation. The programme, which began in 2002, is coordinated by the World Council of Churches (WCC). For more information on EAPPI and photos: http://www.eappi.org/
The WCC is a fellowship of 348 churches, in more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions. Its office is in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information on the WCC: http://www.wcc-coe.org/