wfn.org | WCC - Ecumenical efforts towards peace in the

["Sheila Mesa" <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

World Council of Churches
Update, Up-02-02
For Immediate Use
11 February 2002

Ecumenical efforts towards peace in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict

cf. WCC Press Release, PR-02-06, of 11 February 2002

The following is background information on an Ecumenical
Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) whose
framework and scope was set at a World Council of Churches (WCC)
meeting in Geneva, 1-2 February 2002:

A call for ecumenical action

"Please come. We can't wait any more," pleaded local
participants at the meeting.  

Representatives of churches and peace networks in Jerusalem and
the Occupied Palestinian Territories have been involved from the
start in identifying the need for ecumenical action through the
WCC. They have been calling for churches around the world to move
from making statements to taking action in solidarity with
churches in the region, and for local and international efforts
towards a lasting peace with justice. These appeals have
intensified since a WCC delegation visited the Middle East in
June 2001.  

Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, representative of H.B.
Irineos I, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, emphasized
that Christians must have a peacemaking role: "We as Christians
are peacemakers according to the sayings of Christ, and we try to
create bridges between Israel and Palestine so that the two
sides, through negotiations, can come to a resolution which will
guarantee their peaceful coexistence and the rights of Christian
minorities in it."  

Monsignor Maroun Lahham, delegated by H.B. Michel Sabbah, the
Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, recognized the differences among
the churches in Jerusalem, but also their unity of purpose: "When
we deal with the churches, the key word is diversity:
historically, theologically, spiritually. Yet when it comes to
injustice, human rights and peace, there is not a Greek Orthodox
answer, a Catholic answer, an Armenian Orthodox answer. There is
a Christian answer. Palestinians, whether they are Muslims or
Christians, are victims of huge injustice and are struggling for
peace. Our answer is that any peace based on injustice will never
last."  

The EAPPI is to involve not only international ecumenical
presence in communities facing violence, but awareness-raising
and advocacy in the participants' home countries. The Rev. Gustaf
Odquist, representative of H.G. Bishop Munib Yunan of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and Palestine saw the
strong connection between presence and advocacy, inviting people
to "Come and see what is happening, then share it back home."  

Mr. Judeh Majaj, delegated by H.G. Bishop Riah Abu El Assal of
the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and general
secretary of the YMCA in East Jerusalem, said that "We are
talking about more than a conflict. We are talking about
oppression and aggression." South African pastor Daniel Ngubane,
speaking from his experience in the KwaZulu Natal Peace Committee
during his country's anti-apartheid struggle, felt that "We have
reached a kairos moment with Israelis and Palestinians. It is
either now or no more."  

A growing non-violent movement

Participants noted that the small but growing non-violent
movement in the conflict area needs to be supported. One of the
founders of the International Solidarity Movement, Ghassan Andoni
of the Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement and member of the WCC
Peace to the City network, recalled that on 25 December 2000 a
demonstration attempted to cross to Jerusalem through the main
checkpoint at Bethlehem. In addition to international supporters,
30 Palestinians participated. At a second demonstration a year
later, 700 Palestinians participated. A few days later, on 31
December 2001, there were 3,000. "The difference," Andoni
observed, "was that at the last demonstration, the church leaders
were there. People are very scared to meet Israeli soldiers face
to face. We need to give them a sense of security and safety.
Church leaders give them that sense of safety."   

Churches and peace organizations from abroad have engaged in
different forms of monitoring and accompaniment. Christian
Peacemaker Teams, one model being built upon by the EAPPI, has
had a team based in Hebron since 1995. The CPT is a project of
the Mennonite Churches, Church of the Brethren and Friends United
Meeting and other Christians, and has wide global experience in
providing a non-violent witness for peace with justice. Rick
Polhamus, a member of the team in Hebron, noted that the roles
CPT members have range from documenting events to engaging in
high-profile non-violent action. At one point, when the Israeli
military sealed the entrance of the university in Hebron with
concrete, university officials asked the CPT to help. "The
officials were thinking of political action. CPT thought of
sledgehammers" and attempted to break open the gate as a witness
to Palestinians' right to an education. The CPT action attracted
media attention that eventually contributed to the reopening of
the university. "In the end," Polhamus said, "while it is good to
engage in such active peacemaking on the ground, what is far more
significant is when CPTers go back home and share what they have
witnessed."  

In developing the programme framework, participants looked at
other models, including Peace Brigades International, the
international solidarity movement and ecumenical monitoring
programme in South Africa, and current efforts by the YMCA and
YWCA, and Danish, Swedish, and US churches and organizations.  

WCC Relations Cluster director Genevieve Jacques noted that an
enthusiastic response at the end of 2001, following the
announcement of the accompaniment programme, and current efforts
show that "There is much energy, interest, and ideas on how to
respond. What is lacking so far is a coordinated ecumenical
response."  

For further information on the scope and framework of the
Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme, see WCC Press Release,
PR-02-05, also issued today.  

For further information, please contact Media Relations Office, 
 Tel:  (+41.22) 791.61.53   	
**********

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of churches,
now 342, in more than 100 countries in all continents from
virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is
not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The
highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately
every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general
secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.

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