World Christians Volunteer Ministry of Accompaniment for Palestinian Church

By Fred Strickert

“Come over to Macedonia to help us!” With those words, addressed first to Paul the Apostle in the book of Acts, Jerusalem Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan wrote to partner churches throughout the world, setting in motion the idea of a new accompaniment program which would provide encouragement and support for the Palestinian church.

For decades, hundreds of thousands of Christians from all over the world typically made a pilgrimage to the holy city of Jerusalem, where they would worship in the churches and encounter Christians in their daily lives. The pilgrims were a sign of encouragement and a voice on behalf of Palestinian Christians to the rest of the world. With the outbreak of violence in September 2000, however, tourism came to a standstill, and the flow of Christians became a trickle.

Local church heads frequently voiced the need for U.N. peacekeepers or impartial observers to stand between warring Palestinians and Israelis. But the pressure of Western politics vetoed all such proposals. Again the Jerusalem Heads of Churches appealed to their partner churches throughout the world, requesting “protection for all our people to assist the reestablishment of mutual trust and security for Israelis and Palestinians” (Appeal from the Churches of Jerusalem, March 24, 2001).

In response, the World Council of Churches organized the Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). Its mission is straightforward: Accompanying Palestinians and Israelis in nonviolent actions and concerted advocacy efforts to end the occupation.

First EAPPI Group

February marked the completion of the work of the first group of 17 accompaniers (EAs) from Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway and the United States. Ranging in age from 23 to 67, they brought with them a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. With Augusta Victoria Hospital on East Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives serving as their base for biweekly meetings and regular debriefing, the individuals have spent the last three to six months assigned to various churches and NGO agencies in Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and the Gaza Strip.

“The accompaniment program so far has done some excellent work on documenting, reporting, and raising awareness, particularly on the devastating aspects of the wall being built on the Green Line around greater Jerusalem,” reported Rebecca Johnson, program coordinator in Jerusalem. “But some of its most important work is simply to be present as a symbol of international solidarity and hope that a just peace can be found.”

In designing the accompaniment program, the World Council of Churches chose to follow the model of the Christian Peacemaker Teams that have had a successful presence in the city of Hebron over the last decade. Participants undergo extensive training and preparation for the task. The scope of the program includes four major parts:

1) to monitor and report on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law;

2) to offer protection through nonviolent presence;

3) to support acts of nonviolent resistance alongside local Christian and Muslim Palestinians and Israeli peace activists;

4) to advocate in home countries.

Regular reports of the EAs’ work are posted on the World Council of Churches Web site, <www.wcc-coe.org>, as well as the Web site for Peaceful Ends through Peaceful Means: <www.pepm.org/accompaniment.html>.

First U.S. Accompanier

Among the first group of EAs was Margaret Kiekhaefer of Coralville, Iowa. Although she had never traveled to Israel/ Palestine before, she began receiving reports on the situation through the Prayer Vigil for Middle East Peace (<www.pepm.org/PrayerVigil/PrayerVigilHome.htm>) held on the 17th of each month at Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City. “Through prayers one becomes more actively involved in the situation,” she said. “I reached a point that I thought someone should do something to increase the awareness—and of course the next step falls into place.”

Because Kiekhaefer’s background is in microbiology and environmental health, she was assigned as a biology tutor for Hope Lutheran School in Ramallah. With periodic closures and curfews school children are lagging behind in education, so it seemed a perfect match. Little did Kiekhaefer realize what a task would confront her! During her first tour of the school facilities she was informed that the Israeli army had confiscated all the lab equipment to prevent the possibility of biological weapons being manufactured in the school.

As a result, Kiekhaefer’s role has been modified to English tutorial sessions with the students. This, too, is a critical task. “I have found that students are really hungry for interaction with Americans,” she said.

While maintaining a base at Augusta-Victoria Hospital, Kiekhaefer lived in an apartment at the pastor’s residence in Ramallah. That way she was immersed in the daily life of the community to serve as an encouragement. “We feel safe here,” she said. “One becomes used to living in a state of occupation. It becomes routine to expect to take three hours to travel five miles from Jerusalem to Ramallah and have to walk through mud and rain.”

Kiekhaefer’s reports home have described visits to remote villages, opportunities to monitor checkpoint routines, and the witnessing of home demolitions.

Upcoming EAPPI Groups

With the return of one group of EAs, another has taken its place at the beginning of March. Four participants are from the United States. Mark Brown of the Lutheran Office of Governmental Affairs, who is in charge of recruitment, noted the ecumenical character of the team, which includes members of the United Churches of Christ, United Methodist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Christian Church/ Churches of Christ.

Three more Americans already have been accepted to begin the accompaniment program in June, and one in September. With the program up and running, participants commit to three months. Others will stay up to six months to provide continuity.

Salpy Eskidijian, program executive for WCC International Affairs, has reported that feedback from the Jerusalem Heads of Churches is extremely positive. “Stay with us,” they pleaded. “Don’t leave like other delegations.”

Persons wishing more information on how to become an EAPPI member or who would like application materials can write to: EAPPI, Lutheran Office of Governmental Affairs, 1222 C St. NW, Suite 125, Washington, DC 20001. Or you may e-mail either <info@pepm.org> or <eappi@wcc-coe.org>

Fred Strickert is professor of religion at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.