EAPPI

Background• In September 2000 the Second Intifada began in Jerusalem following

the failure of the U.S.-sponsored Camp David talks between Israel and the PLO. In the weeks that followed, the level of violence escalated in the West Bank and Gaza. Alarmed by this turn of events, the heads of the local churches in Jerusalem called for churches worldwide to accompany them with prayers, statements, advocacy and presence.

• In response to this call by the local churches of Jerusalem, the World

Council of Churches Executive Committee meeting in September 2001 recommended to "develop an accompaniment program that would include an international ecumenical presence”. After further extensive consultation, the WCC Executive Committee launched the EAPPI in February 2002.

Overview

EAPPI brings internationals to the West Bank to experience life under occupation. Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. When they return home, EAs campaign for a just and peaceful resolution to the conflict through an end to the occupation.

Structure • Two Staff in Geneva

– Manuel Quintero, International Program Coordinator– Anne-Marie Vuignier, Program Associate

• Office in Jerusalem (7 staff)– Elizabeth (Jet) den Hollander, Local Programme Coordinator– Judith Daemberg, Team Facilitator– Nader Muaddi, Advocacy Officer– Bethany Fullerton, Communications Officer– Liz Allcock, Research Officer– Scarlet Habib, Admin and Finance Officer: – Samar Hashweh, Receptionist

• Local Reference Group in Jerusalem• National Coordinators and Committees from sending countries• Annual Meeting and Core Group

EAPPI US

Steering Committee• Robert Smith – Evangelical Lutheran Church in America• Mark Koenig – PCUSA • Peter Makari - Global Ministries (United Church of

Christ/Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)) • Derek Duncan – Global Ministries• David Wildman – UMC General Board of Global

Ministries• Steve Weaver- Church World Service

Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs)

Serve 3 month terms in one of 7 placements:• Jerusalem (2)• Bethlehem• Jayyous• Yanoun• Hebron• south Hebron hills

– (David Etherington with Nael Khalid)

Yanoun“Harassment by the settlers has decreased by maybe 80 or 90 percent. The reason is that you are in the village. The biggest effect has been on the children. I have asked how they feel, when the settlers come and you are here, and they say they are no longer scared like they used to be.”

“If the internationals leave the village in the morning, we will leave in the afternoon”.

Rashid Murar, Mayor of Yanoun

Hebron – Cordoba School

Bethlehem

Monitoring Checkpoints

Jayyous

“The protection that EAPPI offers to vulnerable communities in the West Bank is an important contribution to the work of the UN and the wider humanitarian community in the oPt. UNOCHA is especially indebted to successive Jayyous and Tulkarem teams, who supply valuable information on the functioning of agricultural gates.”Ray Dolphin, UNOCHA

Jayyous

Miles0 21

55

ACTIVATELAYERS

Habla Tunnel

Road 55

Jayyus’ Land

Water wells

Green Line

West Bank BarrierConstructedPlanned

Dismantled

PalestinianBuilt-up

IsraeliSettlements

Barrier Gates

Jerusalem“Women in Black is deeply appreciative of the supportive presence of EAs every Friday. For an hour they stand with us and our signs calling for an end to the occupation. They endure the same attacks from passersby, engage in dialogue with those willing to talk, and provide quiet witness to our work for peace. They are an important source of strength that helps sustain us in our activity.”Gila Svirsky, Women in Black Organizer

Activities in the US

• Meet with elected officials in DC.• Speak in churches, schools, community groups• Write letters to newspapers• Engage in grassroots campaigns