“Overall, what I experienced wasn’t a simple contrast between two sides. It was a landscape of generosity, pain, mistrust, courage, and, in some places, real attempts – albeit fragile – to build something different” ~ Daniel.
Daniel is a management consultant, with a background in the civil service. He spent three months in the occupied West Bank, living alongside communities and working non-violently against Israel’s military occupation of Palestine.
His visit was part of The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) – an international initiative of the World Council of Churches which supports people from many walks of life to serve as human rights monitors in the West Bank – also known as Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs).
EAPPI was founded in response to a call from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. Since 2002 over 1,500 international volunteers from 22 countries have served as EAs. In the UK and Ireland, it is coordinated by British Quakers on behalf of 16 partner churches and NGOs.
Daniel said at its heart, his decision to go came from a sense that it wasn’t enough to observe from a distance: “I wanted to be present – to listen, to witness, and in some small way to stand alongside people living through the reality of military occupation.
“Our aim was to accompany people, to hear and record their stories, and use our presence to build resilience and where possible deter human rights abuses. That might mean being with Palestinian children on their way to school, visiting communities affected by violence from Israeli settlers, or monitoring checkpoints. Alongside that, we met with Palestinian and Israeli organisations, so we could better understand their work and help share their experiences.
“One particular privilege for me was spending time in Jerusalem and meeting church leaders. A comment from the Orthodox Patriarch Theophilus has stayed with me: “Our daily presence is a miracle.” That really captures how fragile the situation is for indigenous Palestinian Christian communities whose continued presence in the Holy Land since the time of Jesus is now under existential threat.
“On the Israeli side, the experience was more fragmented. We met a number of Israeli citizens through civil society who are working actively for a just peace: former IDF soldiers, activists, humanitarian workers. It was genuinely humbling to see the risks they take, going against the grain of wider public opinion in Israel and putting their lives on the line.
How to join EAPPI
The next round of recruitment, for visits in 2028, will happen early in 2027 – You can sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when applications go live.
The age range to take part is approximately 25-70 years, and applicants must reside in the UK or Ireland long-term to apply. EAPPI is a church programme but is open to all and there is no requirement to be Christian or involved in a church. Applications are welcome from people of all faiths and belief systems. EAs are expected to respect the ecumenical nature of EAPPI as it reflects its Christian heritage, as well as the other faiths they will work alongside in Israel and occupied Palestine.
While in Palestine, the EA role has several aims, including to report human-rights violations to the UN and other bodies; to accompany and listen to those living under occupation; and to support Israeli and Palestinian groups working non-violently for a just peace.
Find out more about the EAPPI programme.
Photos © Christian Aid