The Presbyterian Record ran an advertisement last spring that just grabbed me. Here was an opportunity for mission in the Holy Land, a mission to walk where Jesus walked, attempting in some small way to bring justice, solidarity and presence to those being persecuted. Before retirement, I was the owner of a manufacturing company, experienced in interviewing job applicants. I now found myself in the opposite situation being interviewed by a dozen or so professional mission staff at PCC offices in Toronto. They were candid about the personal challenges I would face should I take on this mission to Palestine/Israel.
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Program for Palestine and Israel was initiated in 2002 by the World Council of Churches, of which The Presbyterian Church in Canada is one of 340 members. The role of each Ecumenical Accompanier is to be a witness to human rights violations as outlined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the fourth Article of the Geneva Convention. It is also an opportunity to be an advocate and give support to Christian, Muslim and Israeli peace organizations and activists; and to report to the sending churches and to the WCC events relating to the Arab/Israeli conflict.
I was pleased to be the first Presbyterian given this opportunity. Every three months a new group of EAs replaces the last one. The size of a group varies; the current group has 16, while others have had as many as 25. On arrival and after orientation, we will be assigned to towns and villages scattered throughout the West Bank including Bethlehem, Hebron, Jerusalem, Yanoun, Ramallah and Tulkarem.
My family has been supportive throughout the process, but with a sense of concern. Getting ready for this mission has involved studying the history of the Jewish and Palestinian people, examining the culture and lifestyle changes of Palestinians since Israel's declaration of nationhood, and learning more about the recognition of Israel by the United Nations and Canada in 1948, with several Arab states denying this new identity.
I've learned much about the building of the “separation barrier” by Israel that limits freedom of movement for Palestinians within their own territory that was assigned to them by the U.N. in 1947, and the ongoing trauma faced daily by the Palestinian and Israeli peoples since the 1948, 1967 and 1973 wars. The peace process between the Jewish state and the Palestinians will be addressed only when UN Resolution 242 is adhered to. (Unanimously adopted in 1967, the resolution calls for the “withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict,” for the recognition of all established states and their political independence, and the establishment of peace and security.)
The conflict between the Jewish state of Israel and the largely Islamic Arab population in the West Bank calls for Christians to be concerned and aware of human rights abuses, and of the pros and cons of the Israel/Palestine conflict as it affects both groups. Both are victims. As Christians we have an obligation to influence our government; to express our desire for a just peace for both sides in this bloody conflict. To learn more about the program please go to www.eappi.org.
