Ecumenical Accompaniers are 'a light to the world'

Ecumenical Accompaniers offer an international presence as Palestinian children go to school in Bethlehem area. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

Source: World Council of Churches

The most recent group from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel has shared observations and feedback from local people on the ground who describe the accompaniers "a light to the world."

The accompaniers-who were on the ground from 1 July through 12 September-are the third group that has operated successfully on the ground, and provided reporting and a protective presence, after 7 October 2023 and the war. Placements were reopened in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Jordan Valley communities.

This group of accompaniers faced many changes on the ground, noted Iskandar Majlaton, local programme coordinator for the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel.

"The Israeli government attempted to cut off Bethlehem from the rest of the West Bank through its settlements," he said. "This is a very serious matter indeed."

The accompanies worked hard to try to safeguard the communities under danger, Majlaton added.

"In addition, school children at all the locations where the programme is active, experience constant harassment and physical assault both there and back," he said. "Our ecumenical accompaniers provided the daily protective presence walks while addressing the increasingly pressing problem of children being deprived of their fundamental rights, particularly the right to play and the right to education."

The accompaniers, filing 712 incident reports, observed incidents related to violence, displacement, access, and attacks.

Approximately 570 of the incidents were referred for follow-up and immediate assistance by the International Committee of the Red Cross; as well as Israeli, Palestinian, international, and United Nations organizations.

A total of 967 incidents of human rights violations were reported.

The violations are many and diverse.

In Bethlehem, community members are saying that a woman with brain cancer is having difficulty accessing Hebron for treatment, due to the travel restrictions imposed on the village.

As of 4 September, the Al-Minya school, near the main road, has no plans to reopen due to security fears. Another school in the village centre is running two shifts each day so that all children can have access to education.

On 29 August, the mayor of Al-Manshiyeh complained that Israeli soldiers have closed the village entrance and that of eight other villages. Also, the main water pipe was damaged which left the village with no water for two days, and the transportation of medical cases was prohibited for two days. Access through the village's main entrance is sometimes allowed on rare intervals, which creates traffic jams and lots of delays.

In Jerusalem, on 31 August, a Bedouin woman from Khan Al-Ahmar said that one settler entered the community after 10 pm, walked between the houses, and came 10 meters near her home. She said that the children were particularly terrified and could not sleep.

In Jordan Valley, a home demolition took place in 'Ein ad Duyuk al Tahta on 2 September. Community members were seen sifting through the rubble, and two men were trying to repair a damaged water pipe. At 5.30 am that day, four army jeeps, one bus loaded with workers, and two bulldozers entered the village and conducted the demolition. A family of ten was living in the demolished home.

In Ein al Beida, due to harassment and incursions, local leaders are advising the farmers to grow inexpensive crops to minimize damage should soldiers or settlers destroy the crops.

Amid all of these human rights violations-and many others-ecumenical accompaniers also reported firsthand that local people value their presence because they bring hope.

"Your organization is important because it gives people hope!" said Dr Samir Hazboun, chairman of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Omar Abu Al Hwar, a social worker in Bethlehem, said to the accompaniers that they are "always very welcome here."

Taysir Abu Mfareh, Tuqua Village council manager, said: "People need to come here and see what the occupation is doing."

A member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Christmas Church said: "Through your work, you are a light to the world."

Khaled Quzmar, from the Defense for Children International, said: "You are our voice in your home countries."

Read more about the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program here: www.oikoumene.org/what-we-do/eappi