Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI)
By Aaron Chan
Responding to a call from the churches in the Holy Land, the World Council of Churches (WCC) under their ecumenical campaign to “End the Occupation of Palestine: Support a Just Peace in the Middle East,” created a new initiative called the EAPPI in 2002. “Its mission is to accompany Palestinians and Israelis in their non-violent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation,” by sending internationals (Ecumenical Accompaniers or EA’s) to work and live in the Land for a period of at least three months. Their work includes being in solidarity with all those struggling against the occupation, offering protection through their international non-violent presence, and engaging in public advocacy both while in the Holy Land and in each EA’s home country. ICB has already hosted 3 EA’s, and hopes to continue this relationship with the EAPPI.
At the moment there are 12 EA’s placed in the West Bank or Gaza since the beginning of March 2003, under the supervision of newly hired director, Rebecca Johnson, a former Christian Peacemakers Team (CPT) member from Canada. The EA’s representing the countries of Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and the United States have been placed in the towns of Gaza City, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Jayous (near Qalqilya), and Zebabdeh (near Jenin). Previous EA's have been placed in Israel, and EAPPI keeps relations with Israeli peace groups. Each area has its own themes and needs. EA’s have done a variety of things like accompanying ambulances, doing field research and writing articles for NGO’s, accompanying school children during curfew, delivering relief aid, community services, participating in demonstrations, and participating with their local churches’ activities.
About the current EA’s themselves, their ages range from 24-74. Several are students/recent graduates: a medical student, an Arabic student, some in political science, conflict resolution, and seminary. Many are pastors or retired pastors. Most of them have had previous experience both in the Middle East and peace/humanitarian work. What motivates EA's to come to Palestine/Israel during this time of conflict?
Ken, an American living in Zebabdeh said, “As a retired pastor I found myself still going to church meetings. I needed fresh air and adventure. I found it.”
Former EA, Bernt, from Sweden, believes that “churches and Christians should be much more involved in peace efforts and more supportive of nonviolence as a viable method to achieve justice, peace and reconciliation. This basic view involves also an understanding that such a commitment may mean risks and dangers, if it is a serious engagement. It would have been a betrayal of my personal faith and conviction, if I had hesitated and said NO to the challenge.”
And American Joel, placed in Zebabdeh, remarked, “Volunteering my time and presence in a West Bank community is a privilege. I came because too few others are coming. I came to learn, to help where I can, to encourage. I came because I think my presence here will make some people in my country pay more attention to what is happening. But most importantly I am here because I desire to share in the joys and struggles of Palestinians living under occupation. The Incarnation is a powerful model, very powerful. The way in which Jesus used his power and freedom has shaped me and led me here. He used these things to serve and love others. He shared in their lives. My desire to learn how to live fully and for others is greater than my fear of getting hurt or killed in the West Bank.”
After already two months here, many of the EA's have been significantly moved by their experiences. Theo, from Switzerland, placed in Jayous said, “I find it hard to bear sharing the daily suffering of the Palestinian people and to face military backed control of a whole country by arrogant occupiers. There is an underlying feeling of despair and hopelessness, which is weighing on my heart. We live here in a very close relationship to the villagers, finding relief only in their Islamic beliefs and the love for their children. But I will survive and try to bring some compassion and humor to the people.”
Lynne, an American staying in Ramallah, fears that, “when the
international world realizes the extent of the abuse, there will be an increased
wave of anti-semitism. It has been gratifying to become aware that there are
many Israeli who have come forward to defend the Palestinians.”
Since this is a new program and the situation they are experiencing in the
Middle East is so dynamic, the EA’s, the director, and the sending organizations
abroad are constantly rethinking what are the best ways for the EAPPI to carry
out its mission. With the recent death of Rachel Corrie, the near death of two
other International Solidarity Movement (ISM) activists, and changing Israeli
policies responding to international movements, all such organizations, like ISM
and EAPPI, have been forced to scratch their heads and rethink their strategies.
How effectively can internationals now offer protection?
Beyond this question of protection, some of the differences
with EAPPI, and other such organizations are that they are faith-based, and are
attempting to establish a more permanent presence in the communities they work
in, following the example of CPT in Hebron. The hope is to have EA’s coming in
over-lapping sessions of three months to keep a constant presence in the
communities they work in so that a relationship is built. It would be difficult
for EA’s to understand and convey in their home countries the complexity of the
situation if they stayed a shorter time and only experienced parts of the larger
situation. These two aspects of developing relationship and advocacy are perhaps
more important in the long run than protection which may work one day, but not
the other. By building a relationship with those here one can expose the
humanity and hope of both Israelis and Palestinians, which can be just as
important as exposing the evils of the occupation.
To know more about EAPPI or how to apply:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/palestine/eap.html
Aaron Chan is a 27 year old native of California, where he
attended Chinese Community United Methodist Church in Oakland. He graduated with
a BA in Religious Studies and Psychology at the University of California in San
Diego, and has a Masters of Divinity from Pacific School of Religion in
Berkeley, CA.
Through the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program Aaron is volunteering at the
International center of Bethlehem until the end of May, 2003.