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Ecumenical solidarity and action promised in Israeli-Palestinian conflict
2002-041-5
2/13/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
As violence between Palestinians and Israelis in the Middle East escalates, representatives of over 40 churches and church-related organizations met in Geneva February 1-2 to establish the scope and framework of an Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in the region.
The World Council of Churches program may engage in a number of tasks, including human rights monitoring, advocacy, support for non-violent resistance by local Palestinian and Israeli peace groups by 'accompanying' them in their efforts.
Among the objectives for the program are exposing the violence of the Israeli occupation; ending brutality, humiliation and violence against civilians; building a stronger global advocacy network; attempting to influence public opinion on the international level and foreign policy in the Middle East to end the occupation and create a viable Palestinian state; and serving as active witnesses to the possibility of an alternative, non-violent struggle for peace and justice.
The meeting also looked at coordination, training, recruitment criteria and communication for those who will be accompanying the peace activists. It was not possible, however, to solve the immediate problem of funding to implement the program.
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