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WCC accompaniers return to the Holy Land to witness life under occupation

Six ecumenical accompaniers have returned to Palestine and Israel, resuming in-person operations for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Ecumenical accompaniers, who were evacuated beginning of October 2023, had been continuing their support and accompaniment online. 

“God empowers refugees and displaced people"

During an inter-religious ceremony, refugees, religious leaders, and UN Refugee Agency representatives gathered on 12 December in the Ecumenical Centre chapel to pray, sing, and listen deeply to one another. Titled This is My Story, This is My History,” the ceremony offered prayers from various traditions including Buddhist, Jewish, Bahá’í, Muslim, Hindu, and Christian.

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.”

“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.

“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.

Indignación en el CMI por el ataque sobre el hospital de Gaza: la organización reclama justicia y respeto por la dignidad humana

El Consejo Mundial de Iglesias (CMI) ha expresado su indignación y sorpresa ante la noticia del bombardeo del hospital gazatí de Al-Ahli. “Miles de palestinos que ya habían perdido sus hogares habían buscado refugio en el hospital, gestionado por la Iglesia Anglicana”, declaró el secretario general del CMI, el Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay; “el ataque equivale a un castigo colectivo, que constituye un crimen de guerra según el Derecho Internacional”.

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.

WCC calls for urgent humanitarian response in Gaza and UN-Led criminal investigation

The World Council of Churches (WCC), in consultation with heads of churches and representatives of Palestinian Christian organizations within the Jerusalem Liaison Office Advisory Group, is making an urgent call for an international investigation led by the United Nations into the numerous war crimes committed against civilians during the ongoing conflict. 

Palestinian ambassador meets with WCC to discuss urgent calls for peace and aid

Ambassador Ibrahim Khraishi, Mission of Palestine to Switzerland; and Doa Nofal, second secretary at the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, requested an urgent meeting with the World Council of Churches (WCC) to discuss the war in the Holy Land and the current and urgent humanitarian situation.