NB. This is archived material from Assembly 2004

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1. In 2002 Assembly agreed to focus on peace and justice in Israel/Palestine. Consequently Global Mission joined a World Council of Churches Programme called Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine Israel (EAPPI) with myself, Glenn Jetta Barclay, commissioned to be an Ecumenical Accompanier, the first from the Australasian/Pacific region. EAPPI ‘s first aim is to end the Occupation of Palestine while it promotes a non-violence approach of first-hand witness, protection, solidarity with the unjustly treated, advocacy during and after the work. This enacts the basic Christian mode of ‘loving presence.’ For five months I was based on the West Bank of Palestine, one of 42 Ecumenical Accompaniers (EAs) from twelve different countries. Placed in small teams in key areas EAs continued to be a cohesive team through inter-base visits and regular re-gathering in Jerusalem for information sharing, strategic planning and prayer. There we also had our written work edited before publishing it on the www.eappi.org website or in national newspapers. We were exposed to a range of peoples and places. This included experiencing the Israeli way of life and discovering their attitudes and reactions. Christian leaders in Jerusalem outlined their desire for Justice for all, eventual co-existence and reconciliation stressing this was not an anti-semitic movement. Most Palestinians spoke the same language of forgiveness and mutual acceptance within the framework of full human rights and justice.

1.1 Living largely in Ramallah, I teamed with a Swiss, an American, two Norwegians and later, two Danish medics. Ramallah was a new placement so we pioneered ways to build relationships, become known and to learn the realities of daily life within this long-time illegally Occupied Territory. We began our mission by just being seen around the streets, at church services, in shops, at meetings and demonstrations, in public transport, at Checkpoints and facing up to the multiple road barriers and security checks, within Refugee camps, at special events and out-of-the-way places. Gradually we built friendship and were trusted by ordinary Palestinians in their natural setting who shared their life-stories and views – these were always graphic, detailed and passionate through painful associations. These multiple ‘tellings’ plus all that we witnessed revealed the genocide being practised against the Palestinians. Clear to us was gross injustice, often brutally applied against everyday Palestinians under the excuse of ‘for security reasons’. We saw that Collective punishment is a merciless strategy coldly worked through by Israeli government and military and permitted by the non-protest, non-intervention of the world. We learnt that the Western world is equated with the Christian world and with former Crusader ambitions. The inability of the United Nations to insist on application of Universal Human Rights and the Fourth Geneva Convention is seen by Palestinians as support for Israel. They call themselves ‘the forgotten’ ‘the voiceless’. “Why are the world’s Christians not speaking out on our behalf?” Palestinian Christians cry.

1.2 Why are you permitting those who once were abused to abuse us? Those who were violated against to violate us? We are paying the price of the Western world’s guilt!” We saw The Wall and its dire consequences to the daily lives and economy of Palestinians. We saw ex-prisoners with physical, emotional and mental evidence of the torture that 75% of prisoners endure. We saw the long-term wounded huddled and hidden, broken, dependent and hurting. We saw children, both Israeli and Palestinian, anxious, fearful, struggling to get to and from school safely while eager to learn. I saw the poverty, met many needy people. I witnessed the cunning ways set up to effect humiliation at all levels of society. While the constant containment and harassment of all Palestinians appears to be a clear design to enforce submission to the power of the Israeli State such activity causes a determination to outwit and outlast the military who practise this increasingly. We recognised this could have grave consequences world-wide. We learnt Refugee Camps house huge numbers within limited space and saw the unhealthiness of it all. We found that medical personnel are likely to be killed or wounded as they travel with the Red Cross ambulances and serve at risk to their lives. I saw at close hand apartment blocks detonated as punishment enforcing homelessness. I saw the fresh blood of the murdered near their ruined homes. I listened to stories of terror by those used as human shields on these occasions.

1.3 I travelled the ruined Palestinian roads, punishment for counter attacks. We saw the remote ancient villages surrounded by Settler Colonies illegally set up and made possible by the strong military presence. The plan seems to be to enforce the villagers to flee in despair of their lives. I saw where children and adults had been shot at through bedroom windows by Settlers. I discovered that the majority of Palestinian water is taken for Settler Colonies. I met many heart-broken families with murdered, targeted or imprisoned loved ones. I worshipped with Christians of several denominations, all enduring personal difficulties. Christian life has become inhibited and limited – this includes those with high position and responsibility. I visited schools, universities and NGO sites seeing and hearing about sieges, incursions, curfews, the wanton destruction of property and resources, holy sites and olive trees. Plus I witnessed the projects set up by both internationals and locals to offset the impact of the Occupation. This included meeting Peace personnel within Israel and Israeli Human Rights workers. While I met some high officials and politicians it was largely everyday people I was meeting. They were not terrorists but ordinary folk wanting a just peace and the hope of a fair future. I became concerned with the moral and spiritual corruption of young Israeli soldiers; with a recent targeting of Peace personnel and with the propaganda that prevents most Israelis from knowing what is being done in their name. They too suffer. I tried to be a bridge between peoples. Few opportunities exist for this.

1.4 We cannot be naïve as New Zealanders. In the light of the recent Spy scandal involving New Zealand passports we are not so remote that it will not affect us. The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs have met with me and our Moderator. Other politicians have shown considerable interest and gratitude. This EAPPI project is ecumenical. The WCC has asked the Presbyterian Church to set up an ecumenical sending committee. I have spoken to other church groups about my experiences. There is a need for consolidation and continuity. The Global Mission website offers the insights of churches from Scotland, the USA, Denmark, Britain. I also recommend the Jerusalem Sabeel Document (Palestinian Christians); the brochure of ‘Jews for Peace in Palestine/Israel”, the USA Council of Churches letter to President Bush. As follow-up there is a link to groups providing aid and support. Prayer, practical help, pen-friendship and making hard copies of web information for distribution are possible avenues for congregations to express solidarity.

1.5 Thank you for the privilege of actioning your mandate towards peace. I have spoken 33 times since returning, written several articles and prayed with focus and insight. I am committed by Christ’s Spirit to continue – not to choose Palestine over Israel but to choose Justice over a burgeoning evil. I thank Andrew Bell, Chris Nichol, Stuart Vogel, the Council of Assembly for practical help and solidarity of purpose.

 

Glenn Barclay