Holy Land Accompaniers show 'someone from the international community cares'

Ecumenical Accompaniers walking along street in Bethlehem area. File Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

A new group from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel have released a report on incidents in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, and South Hebron Hills.

The latest group of ecumenical accompaniers marks the sixth successful implementation underway since the war started on 7 October 2023. The WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel has managed 80 accompaniers since the war started and expanded to South Hebron Hills with the latest group.

From 27 January 2024 to mid-March 2025, ecumenical accompaniers carried out 3,296 activities and visits, and reported 4,323 incidents, with 5,094 international humanitarian law violations out of which 2,590 cases were referred for immediate assistance by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Israeli, Palestinian, international, and United Nations organizations.

An example of an incident in Bethlehem: on 6 March, a woman from Jubbet adh Dhib reported that she and her son were attacked by settlers as she was taking him to see a doctor. The attack occurred at 2am, and now the woman is trying to take care of her son at home so they do not have to leave for medical treatment.

In Jerusalem, on 2 March, residents of Hizma village reported that their homes were raided by soldiers repeatedly at night and that belongings were destroyed. The Palestinian families are focused on comforting each other, and they feel that they have no one to report to.

In Jordan Valley, on 8 March, six families of Ras 'Ein al 'Auja village reported that their sheep and goats were confiscated by Israeli security forces and settlers. One man was arrested because he tried to protect his sheep, and the residents know nothing about his whereabouts.

In South Hebron Hills, on 6 March, a Palestinian woman in the village of Umm Al Amad reported daily harassment by Israeli soldiers and settlers, that settlers have a lookout point, and that they observe the community. She also reported that soldiers vandalized a small shop that she owns. The woman has a demolition order against her home.

"It is good that people here see and know about your presence, and that someone from the international community cares," said one resident during a visit to Wings of Hope trauma centre in Bethlehem on 10 February.

"God is the power that give us hope. Knowing that we have eternal life gives meaning to our life. Helping others is the medicine that gives us power and makes us feel good in spite of everything that happens around us," said the principal of Al-Khader School to the ecumenical accompaniers on 9 February. "God created in our hearts the will to help others, after all we are one family, and when you smile at me I smile at you."

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