The World Council of Churches (WCC) strenuously rejects any allegations of illegality in relation to its activities in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian territories. There is nothing illegal nor anything secret about the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) or other WCC activities in the region. Such activities are conducted in full public transparency.

Moreover, WCC has a mandate from its member churches and a moral responsibility to share testimonies of the reality of life under occupation for Palestinian people, including Palestinian Christian communities in the occupied territories – even if this is profoundly uncomfortable for some who would prefer that this reality be hidden from view.

Geneva 10 February, 2020
Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit
General Secretary
World Council of Churches