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To make an online gift to this project click  here and select Israel/Palestine - Peaceful Ends Through Peaceful Means from the designation list. To make a gift by check to this project click here. |
A Christian Witness for Peace in Israel and Palestine
The United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are part of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations that form the ecumenical relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry known as Church World Service (CWS) founded in 1946. Global Ministries, a common witness of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) continue to further support the efforts of CWS, especially in areas related to the work of our overseas partners.
The news from Israel/Palestine region seems full of hopelessness, especially when we hear stories of the struggles of individuals crossing military checkpoints, killings, and bombings daily. Since the Israeli occupation in June 1967 of the West Bank and Gaza, both Israelis and Palestinians experience loss of life and a limited freedom. A great number of Palestinians and Israelis believe that ending the occupation is the place to begin to discover a peaceful and just resolution to the conflict in the region.
As part of CWS Middle East Forum, Peaceful Ends through Peaceful Means (PEPM) supports Palestinians and Israelis who work towards peace in Israel/Palestine. PEPM mobilizes congregations and church leaders to become peacemakers through nonviolent action and advocacy to end occupation.
Peaceful Ends through Peaceful Means offers opportunities for individuals to become "Ecumenical Accompaniers" to live a three-month term with our Christian and Muslim Palestinian and Israeli partners involved in peace and justice in Israel and Palestine. Ecumenical Accompaniers are expected to monitor and report human rights and international humanitarian violations, thus offering protection through a non-violent presence. When the Ecumenical Accompaniers return to their home communities in the US, they continue advocacy efforts, speaking in churches and other public places.
Our ecumenical partners in Europe are sending Accompaniers ten-to-one over the United States. Considering the United States role in the peace process and historical support for Israel, more Americans are needed to volunteer in this effort.
One way to increase the number of American volunteers for the Ecumenical Accompanier program is to lessen the burden of financial expenses related to this commitment to live and work overseas. Expenses related to this program include roundtrip transportation, living expenses, and medical insurance.
