To support communities in Israel and Palestine, World Council of Churches sends six Christians

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Six Christians have been sent to Jerusalem by the World Council of Churches, to act as “ecumenical accompaniers” supporting local people and communities, advocating for justice and peace and “offering a protective presence, and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes”.

They are part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel which was set up by the WCC in 2002 and sends usually around 25 people for periods of three months.

The team was evacuated at the beginning of October 2023, when war broke out and they have been offering support online. Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for the Middle East, said: “The programme emphasises the importance of impartiality and non-violence in its operations and aims to contribute towards a future of coexistence and mutual respect between Palestinians and Israelis.”