Sunday School week 4

1. EAPPI

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Hebron – Cordoba School

9. Bethlehem
Monitoring Checkpoints

10. 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

11. Jayyous
Miles
0 21
55
ACTIVATE
LAYERS
Habla Tunnel
Road 55
Jayyus’ Land
Water wells
Green Line
West Bank Barrier
Constructed
Planned
Dismantled
Palestinian
Built-up
Israeli
Settlements
Barrier Gates

12. 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

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