WCC accompaniers in Washington, DC urge global attention on systemic injustices in Jerusalem and Palestine
A delegation of alumni from the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel visited Washington, DC, to amplify the voices of those affected by escalating human rights violations in Jerusalem and across Palestine.
Amid worsening realities on the ground, these advocacy activities served as a powerful platform for former ecumenical accompaniers to directly engage with US policymakers, urging proactive measures to protect human rights, ensure equitable access to worship, and safeguard Palestinian communities in Jerusalem, described Carla Khijoyan, WCC programme executive for peace building in the Middle East.
“At a time when international attention is rightly focused on ending the violence in Gaza and delivering lifesaving aid, these meetings were essential in ensuring that the systemic injustices in East Jerusalem remain a priority on the global agenda,” she said.
Beyond raising awareness, the sessions reinforced the need for comprehensive policies that advance justice, dignity, and rights for all Palestinians—whether in Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem, or beyond. “By fostering dialogue with key decision-makers, our alumni helped bridge gaps in understanding and pushed for concrete actions that address root causes of oppression across the region,” said Karin Brown, a national coordinator for the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel from the US. “These advocacy efforts were more than just meetings—they were a necessary intervention to hold the international community accountable and demand lasting change for a future where human rights are universally upheld.”
A seven-person delegation visited Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The group was part of a coordinated effort to raise awareness and build congressional support for justice and human rights in East Jerusalem, particularly in light of the escalating threats posed by Israeli annexation policies and US funding cuts to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The delegation successfully opened up new lines of dialogue about concrete policy recommendations. Seven ecumenical accompaniers representing six different states joined the delegation, bringing with them eye-witnessed testimony and community-based experience from East Jerusalem and other occupied Palestinian territories. Their stories are about settler violence, shrinking civic space, and grave human rights violations.
The delegation visited 19 congressional offices.
Two participants from Illinois urged their Congressional representative to cosponsor legislation aimed at restoring US funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. Their efforts paid off: the representative committed to becoming a cosponsor—an important step in the broader campaign to reinstate critical support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, whose work in East Jerusalem has been severely impacted by both Israeli restrictions and US funding cuts.
Participants prioritized this legislation throughout their advocacy meetings.
In another impactful moment, a participant from Iowa engaged directly with her senator just days before the senator’s scheduled trip to Israel. The senator expressed genuine interest in the work of the WCC and an openness to continued dialogue.
Additionally, a Senate aide from another state requested further information about the WCC’s work in Israel and Palestine, particularly in East Jerusalem, signaling increased congressional curiosity and potential for future collaboration.
“The activity’s participants left Washington, DC, energized by these initial successes and committed to sustained advocacy,” said Iskandar Majlaton, programme coordinator for the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme Palestine and Israel. “They plan to continue engaging with their elected officials, holding them accountable to their promises, and ensuring that the voices of those advocating for justice and peace in East Jerusalem are not forgotten.”