Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel
Encyclopedia
The Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel is an international, ecumenical programme that recruits and despatches observers (known as Ecumenical Accompaniers - EAs) to several Palestinian towns and villages to monitor the interaction between the Palestinian inhabitants and the Israeli military. The presence of EAs is intended to offer protection and to moderate friction. Abuses of authority are monitored and reported and EAs speak publicly of their experiences.
The EAPPI was founded in 2002 under the auspices of the World Council of Churches
, in response to requests from Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. In Britain and Ireland, it is managed by Quaker Peace and Social Witness
. Accompaniers have four stated tasks: to offer protection through nonviolent presence; to monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law; to support Israeli and Palestinian peace activists; to undertake advocacy work including public speaking.
EAPPI's website at present (February 2011) recruits accompaniers from Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom & Ireland and the United States.
The EAPPI was founded in 2002 under the auspices of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
, in response to requests from Heads of Churches in Jerusalem. In Britain and Ireland, it is managed by Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Quaker Peace & Social Witness , previously known as the Friends Service Council, and then as Quaker Peace and Service, is one of the central committees of Britain Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends - the national organisation of Quakers in Britain. It works to promote British...
. Accompaniers have four stated tasks: to offer protection through nonviolent presence; to monitor and report violations of human rights and international humanitarian law; to support Israeli and Palestinian peace activists; to undertake advocacy work including public speaking.
EAPPI's website at present (February 2011) recruits accompaniers from Australia, Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom & Ireland and the United States.