News
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) enters its second year of operations by welcoming 25 new accompaniers, the largest group since the project started in August 2002. Three have also stayed on from the previous group, bringing the total number of accompaniers on the ground to 28.
For the first time in its history, the EAPPI group will include a bishop. Continuing the programme's relationship with the South African Council of Churches, SACC second vice president Bishop Lunga ka Siboto of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church will be one of four accompaniers from South Africa joining a countrywoman who is staying on for an additional term.
"There was a time when we thought ours was the last struggle for liberty," said Siboto, who will be working in Bethlehem. "Suddenly one is struck by what is happening here. If one can help to make a difference or can be a friend in solidarity, it will be a step for the good of mankind."
Siboto is one of four ministers in the new group; the other three are ministers from the Lutheran Church in South Africa, the Baptist Church of Denmark and the Evangelical Church in Germany. The insights of three accompaniers who lived in Berlin during the time of the Berlin Wall on life in a divided city and country should also prove valuable as the Israeli government continues the construction of its "Separation Wall" despite international condemnation.
The 15 women and 10 men, ranging in age from 26 to 69, come from seven countries: Denmark, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Ecumenical Accompaniers, who serve a minimum of three months, work in various capacities with local churches, Palestinian and Israeli NGOs, as well as Palestinian communities, to try to reduce the brutality of the Israeli occupation and improve the daily lives of both peoples. Accompaniers will continue to be placed in Bethlehem, Hebron, Jayyous, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Sawahreh / Abu Dis, and Yanoun. Teams will also be working in Nablus and Tulkarem.
Accompaniers will also be working with various organizations including the YMCA in both Beit Sahour and Tulkarem; the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC) in Beit Hanina on the northern outskirts of Jerusalem near where the "separation wall" is being constructed; the Alternative Information Centre (AIC), a joint Israeli-Palestinian initiative; and the Palestinian Working Women's Society for Development (PWWSD) in Ramallah.
Since the programme was launched, 153 ecumenical accompaniers have participated from more than 30 churches and ecumenical partners in 12 countries: Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Media contact in Palestine/Israel: +972 (0)2-628-9402 +972 (0)54-799-8724
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 non-violent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists, offer protection through non-violent 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).
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