WCC NEWS: “The occupation can’t last forever”

Rev. Annica Anderbrant, from Sweden, served as an ecumenical accompanier near Jerusalem, from 31 August to 7 October. The World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, based on an appeal from local church leaders to create an international presence in the country, accompanies the local people and communities, offering protective presence and witnessing their daily struggles and hopes. Below, Anderbrant reflects on what she witnessed while in the field.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 25 October 2023 What most struck you about daily life under occupation? Anderbrant: I thought I knew what it would be like, because I had been introduced and I had actually been to Israel and Palestine before. But still I was quite shocked. For example, at the checkpoints, at which we were standing twice a week, people had to go through every day if they were supposed to work or had something else to do in Jerusalem. But the permits you need to pass through a checkpoint are completely not understandable. You have different permits for different things. You are going to the doctor, for example. But suddenly, you can’t—because it’s closed for you. It was hardest to see when children and elderly people were rejected. It is so hard to understand why the occupation is still allowed to continue to tear people down!   We, as ecumenical accompaniers, came there in the very early morning, we put on the vests, we stood there, we made notes—then we got on the bus and left. It was so easy for us! Then, when the conflict started, we could leave. We had a passport so we could leave the country. People under occupation can’t leave. The difference between what you can do and what you can’t do—it’s incredible.    What do you carry in your heart for the people you accompanied?  Anderbrant: I carry a lot of sorrow.How can we ever, after this, continue? What is possible? I remember one man I talked to, and in a European way asked about peace; he said: “First justice, then peace.” That struck me. It’s so unfair, the way you can live on one side of the wall, and on the other side of the wall people can’t go anywhere. How will it continue? What is going to happen next week and next month?    How are you continuing your work as an ecumenical accompanier back home in Sweden?  Anderbrant: Everything changed for us so quickly. We couldn’t finish, we had so much undone, unseen, unheard, we couldn’t say goodbye. Yesterday, I met another ecumenical accompanier who was in Jerusalem this last winter, and we had a chat, and that was very good. We explored the question: How can we talk about this in Sweden now, with other things coming up in our society? Next week, we will also meet all the Swedes who came back last week, to talk together, and to make plans for how can we continue our advocacy. The occupation can’t last forever, and as someone said, it can’t change by law—it has to change by values!    WCC condemns attack on building adjacent to St Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza (WCC news release 20 October 2023)   WCC calls for urgent humanitarian response in Gaza and UN-Led criminal investigation (WCC news release 19 October 2023)   WCC outraged at news of attack on hospital in Gaza, calls for justice and human dignity (WCC news release 17 October 2023)   WCC calls for immediate ceasefire, urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza (WCC news release 15 October 2023)   WCC, Jerusalem Heads of Churches invite all to global prayer day (WCC news release 15 October 2023)   Jerusalem Heads of Churches urge addressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza (WCC news release 13 October 2023)   WCC calls for a new approach to conflict in Palestine and Israel (WCC news release 13 October 2023)   Statement: WCC calls for a new approach to the conflict in Palestine and Israel (13 October 2023)   Church leaders in Holy Land call for de-escalation, respect for human rights (WCC news release 9 October 2023)   Service of Lament for Palestine and Israel: “we solidly believe in the sanctity of life” (WCC news release 12 October 2023)   WCC urgently appeals for immediate ceasefire in Israel and Palestine (WCC news release 7 October 2023) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland