wfn.org | Title: Christians against the 'separation fence'

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

 World Council of Churches 7 Press Update
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 02/03/2004 - pu-04-13

Demonstrations against the 'separation fence': 
First-hand testimonies of Christian volunteers

			Cf. WCC Press Update, UP-04-12, of 23 February 2004

Six new articles now available, offering first-hand testimonies of the recent
day of demonstrations throughout the West Bank and Jerusalem. The protests
coincided with the opening of hearings at the International Court of Justice
in The Hague on the legality of Israel's "separation fence." 

These articles and many more, written by members of the Ecumenical
Accompaniment Programme in Palestine/Israel (EAPPI) serving in the West Bank
and Jerusalem, can be found at www.eappi.org. Click on "Accompaniers'
reports" after entering the site. 

The six articles include: 

Voices from Inside - Israeli Criticism of the Wall 
An account detailing the work of Israeli peace organizations striving with
their Palestinian counterparts to protest the building of the wall. 

"Suicide Bombers are not the Solution" 
Attending a rally in Ramallah leads to a conversation with a young
Palestinian who is against suicide bombings and thinks nonviolence is the
only effective means of resistance.

What does the World Media focus on? 
A peaceful demonstration in Abu Dis ends in tear gas and stone throwing. But
the world media seems to only focus on the last few moments, leaving the
impression of a violent day.

Media contact in Palestine/Israel: +972 (0)2-628-9402 +972 (0)67 379 766

For further information, please contact Juan Michel, WCC  media relations
officer,  tel: +41 22 791 6153, mobile +41 79 507 6363, media@wcc-coe.org  

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) was
launched in August 2002. Ecumenical Accompaniers monitor and report
violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, support acts
of nonviolent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians
and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through nonviolent presence,
engage in public policy advocacy and stand in solidarity with the churches
and all those struggling against the occupation. The programme is coordinated
by the World Council of Churches (WCC). 

 The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
 more than 120 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, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
 general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.