wfn.org | WCC - Ecumenical solidarity and action promised in

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

Palestinian-Israeli conflict

World Council of Churches
Press Release, PR-02-06
For Immediate Use
11 February 2002

Ecumenical solidarity and action promised in Palestinian-Israeli
conflict

cf. WCC Press Release, PR-01-40, of 29 October 2001
cf. WCC Press Release, PR-01-34, of 14 September 2001

As theMiddle East situation Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the
Middle East  continues to deteriorate, representatives of over 40
church and church-related organizations gathered in Geneva 1-2
February have agreed on the scope and framework of an Ecumenical
Accompaniment Programme (EAPPI) in Palestine and Israel.   

The World Council of Churches (WCC) programme, initially called
the Ecumenical Monitoring Programme in Palestine and Israel
(EMPPI), was renamed to allow a broader role for the
international ecumenical movement, as requested by the churches
in Jerusalem. Salpy Eskidjian, programme executive in the WCC
International Relations team, explains that participants in the
programme may engage in a number of tasks, including human rights
monitoring, advocacy, and supporting non-violent resistance by
local Palestinian and Israeli peace groups.  

A framework for action

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme's mission is the
"accompaniment of Palestinians and Israelis in non-violent
actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation".
This includes:

- monitoring and reporting on violations of human rights and
international humanitarian law;
- offering protection through non-violent presence;
- supporting acts of non-violent resistance alongside local
Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists;
and
- engaging in public policy advocacy.  

The programme objectives include:
-  exposing the violence of the occupation;
- ending the brutality, humiliation and violence against
civilians; 
- constructing a stronger global advocacy network;
- ensuring the respect of human rights and international
humanitarian law;
- influencing public opinion in home countries and affecting
foreign policy on the Middle East in order to end occupation and
create a viable Palestinian state;
- expressing solidarity with Palestinian and Israeli peace
activists and empowering local Palestinian communities/churches;
- being an active witness that an alternative, non-violent
struggle for justice and peace is possible to end the illegal
occupation of Palestine.  

Rev. Mark Brown of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
noted that each accompanier may take on different tasks according
to the needs and their own areas of expertise and interest. "Some
may be only monitors. Others may be much more active
peacemakers." The meeting looked at the accompaniers' tasks on
the ground as well as at coordination, training, recruitment
criteria, and communication.   

One critical aspect, however, was still unresolved at the end of
the meeting - whether sufficient funds will be available to fully
implement the programme. A "WCC fund for the ecumenical response
to the Palestianian-Israeli conflict" has been established, but
so far, says Eskidjian, very few firm commitments have been made.
"We know that our churches, our partners, our governing bodies
are firmly behind this ecumenical response, and we all see that
this programme can have a positive, peace-building effect in a
tragic situation. But iIn the end however , if the money isn't
there, the programmeis in danger cannot go forward with the
ambitious plans laid here."  

The EAPPI is open to churches and ecumenical organizations in
the broad ecumenical movement. RevRoman Catholic priest., Peter
Ruggere of the US Maryknoll fathers, brothers, sisters and lay
missioners, said that "For Catholics, this is a golden
opportunity. It offers us a chance to participate in an
ecumenical programme in solidarity with Palestinians."   

In developing the programme framework, participants emphasized
that it will be important for observers to relate with both
Israelis and Palestinians. "We are called to accompany all those
groups, Palestinian and Israeli, who are striving against great
odds for justice and peace," Eskidjian says said. "Nonetheless,"
Brown acknowledged, that "Tthe church is partisan. We are on the
side of the poor and oppressed."  

Ms Abla Nasir, General Secretary of the Palestine YWCA said that
"The fact that the WCC has adopted this project means a lot to us
as Christians and Palestinians as a whole."   

At the conclusion of the meeting, Archbishop Aristarchos of
Constantina, representative of H.B Irineos I, the Greek Orthodox
Patriarchate of Jerusalem, thanked the WCC and everyone who had
coame to the meeting. Summing up the feelings of most around the
table, he said, "I feel strengthened," he said, "T but this is
just a starting point. , but Tthe process road that lies before
us is long."  

For further background on the meeting and the call behind the
Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel,
please see WCC Press Update, Up-02-02, 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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