EAPPI joins in commemorating 40 years of occupation

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI)
June July 2007 Newsletter
Num. 20
EAPPI joins in commemorating 40 years of occupation

Ecumenical service marking 40 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territories
On Sunday, 3 June, in an ecumenical service held in Jerusalem's St. Stephens Church to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, church leaders called for an end to 40 years of Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. They emphasized the church's commitment to non-violence in the service of peace and justice.
For more information go to: http://www.eappi.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pu-07-15.html

40 years of occupation commemorations June 5 -11
EAs (ecumenical accompaniers) supported local people in commemorating 40 years of occupation. In Anata on June 5 Palestinians, Israelis and internationals marked 40 years of occupation. EAs also attended a vigil organised by the Palestinian NGO network at the Old City’s Damascus gate on June 9. Many joined Israeli peace activists later that evening in a large demonstration in Tel Aviv.

Women in Black held small evening vigils throughout the week and a large vigil on Friday June 8.

The Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICAHD) mark 40 years since the destruction of the Mughrabi Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday June 11. This was the start of a campaign to rebuild Palestinian homes that have been demolished. EAs will participate in this campaign over the summer.

Elsewhere in the West Bank, from June 5 to 9, EAs supported Palestinians and Israelis as they held non-violent demonstrations and other events against the continuing occupation in Tulkarem, Bethlehem, Um Salamone and Hebron.

EAs participated in Um Salamone’s Friday protests against the wall and settlement expansion.

WCC General Secretary visits EAs in occupied Palestinian territories
Rev Dr Samuel Kobia visited Bethlehem, Hebron and Jayyous. He met EAs and Palestinians they accompany, seeing first hand EAs in action. For further information, please go to: www.eappi.org and click on ‘News & Updates.’

EAPPI Publications

The latest edition of the EAPPI magazine, ChainReaction, entitled : “40 Years of Occupation” contains interviews with people remembering the start of the occupation in June 1967. It also focuses on what 40 years of occupation have meant. To obtain copies, please contact EAPPI at eappi-co@wcc-coe.org
A German special edition of ChainReaction for Kirchentag is available by contacting kontakt@eappi-netzwerk.de
Swedish EAPPI’s booklet “Med var egna ogon” (With our own eyes) is available by contacting seappi@skr.org

For more information please contact:

Roslyn Harper, Communication & Advocacy Officer +972 (0)2 628-9402 (eappi-co@wcc-coe.org)

Rifat Kassis, International Programme Coordinator +41 22 791-6314 (rka@wcc-coe.org)

The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) supports Palestinians and Israelis working for peace by monitoring and reporting violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, offering protection by accompanying local communities in daily activities, and by advocating with churches for a peaceful end to the Occupation. The programme, which began in 2002, is coordinated by the World Council of Churches (WCC). The WCC is a fellowship of 347 churches, in more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions. Its office is in Geneva, Switzerland.

For more information on the WCC: www.wcc-coe.org