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Violence against Palestinians is rising in the West Bank

Despite the war, security concerns, and travel restrictions, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel and the WCC Jerusalem Office continue to operate. Ecumenical accompaniers have observed increasing violence against Palestinians in the West Bank since October 7. 

Ecumenical accompanier: “many Palestinians simply want to live a peaceful life”

Siad Ní Bhroin, from the EAPPI UK and Ireland team, served as an ecumenical accompanier in Bethlehem from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering a protective presence and witnessing daily struggles and hopes. Below, a reflection on what she witnessed while in the field.

The peak of ecumenics

In good weather, I was told, you might even be able to see Mont Blanc from up here. Here on the rising Jura mountains with its peaks behind you and Lake Geneva in front of you. But on a rainy day like this, you hardly had a chance to even glimpse the Alps on the other side of the lake. The day was to include other things than beautiful mountain landscapes, even as the 35 students from all over the world set out to climb new, ecumenical peaks. It was the Dies academicus of the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, with the motto "Pilgrimage of Justice, Reconciliation, and unity.”

Blending local and global ecumenism in Asia

After being postponed twice because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 15th General Assembly of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) finally got underway in late September and early October 2023 in Kottayam, India. Under the theme "God, renew us in your spirit and restore the creation,” CCA member churches across Asia gathered to stake out the direction forward and evaluate accomplishments and challenges since the last assembly in 2015 in Jakarta. 

“Quieren vivir sin miedo ni acoso constante”

Máire Ní Mheibhric, de Galway (Irlanda), ejerció de acompañante ecuménica en el pueblo de Tubas, en la Ribera Occidental, entre el 31 de agosto y el 7 de octubre. También había sido acompañante ecuménica en 2019 en Hebrón. El Programa Ecuménico de Acompañamiento en Palestina e Israel del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) –creado a raíz del llamado de los dirigentes de las iglesias locales al establecimiento de una presencia internacional en el país– acompaña a las poblaciones y comunidades locales ofreciéndoles su presencia protectora y siendo testigos tanto de sus dificultades cotidianas como de sus esperanzas. Bajo estas líneas, Ní Mheibhric reflexiona sobre lo que vio durante esas semanas como acompañante.

“La ocupación no puede durar para siempre”

La Rev. Annica Anderbrant, de Suecia, ejerció de acompañante ecuménica cerca de Jerusalén del 31 de agosto al 7 de octubre. El Programa Ecuménico de Acompañamiento del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) en Palestina e Israel, basado en un llamado de los líderes de las iglesias locales para establecer una presencia internacional en el país, acompaña a la población y las comunidades locales, ofreciéndoles una presencia protectora y siendo testigo de sus luchas y esperanzas cotidianas. A continuación, Anderbrant reflexiona sobre lo que presenció sobre el terreno.

Los niños se sienten seguros en el camino a la escuela con la presencia de “acompañantes ecuménicos” (AE)

El brasileño Igor Galvão ejerció de acompañante ecuménico en la Ciudad Vieja de Jerusalén del 31 de agosto al 7 de octubre. El Programa Ecuménico de Acompañamiento del Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) en Palestina e Israel, basado en un llamado de los líderes de las iglesias locales para establecer una presencia internacional en el país, acompaña a la población y las comunidades locales, ofreciéndoles una presencia protectora y siendo testigo de sus luchas y esperanzas cotidianas. A continuación, Galvão reflexiona sobre lo que vio sobre el terreno y sobre el trabajo que queda por hacer.

At peace conference, WCC focuses on overcoming racism

Dr Masiiwa Ragies Gunda, World Council of Churches (WCC) programme executive on Overcoming Racism, Racial Discrimination, and Xenophobia, recently attended and spoke at a Church and Peace Conference in the Netherlands. Exploring the theme Overcoming Racism in the Church,” the conference drew nearly 100 people from 15 European and non-European countries. 

“The occupation can’t last forever”

Rev. Annica Anderbrant, from Sweden, served as an ecumenical accompanier near Jerusalem, from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Below, Anderbrant reflects on what she witnessed while in the field. 

“They want to live without fear and constant harassment”

ire Ní Mheibhric, from Galway, Ireland, served as an ecumenical accompanier in the village of Tubas, in the West Bank, from 31 August to 7 October. She also previously served as an ecumenical accompanier in 2019 in Hebron. The World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Below, Ní Mheibhric reflects on what she witnessed while in the field.

Kids Feel Safe Going to School when EAs are Present

Igor Galvão, from Brazil, served as an ecumenical accompanier in Jerusalems Old City from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Below, Galvão reflects on what he witnessed while in the field, and on the work ahead.

Thirty days that changed the ecumenical movement

No holidays for William Temple, Archbishop of York, early in August 1937. The ecumenical movement for the social responsibility of the churches, known as Life and Work,” had just held its world conference in Oxford, 12-26 July, with the church struggle against emerging totalitarian states at the heart of its theme and work. Temple had drafted the final message of the conference, known for the motto let the Church be the Church.”