The programme is now in its 22nd year. “The World Council of Churches and our EAPPI programme is needed more than ever in the midst of the war, in the polarized and fragile world,” said WCC director of communication Marianne Ejdersten, who offered opening remarks at the meeting. “This is an important week for all of us to recommit and reshape the work together.” Ejdersten underlined “Amid rapidly escalating tensions in the region, reports from ecumenical accompaniers at the end of October revealed that Palestinian communities remain vulnerable to violence and live in a constant state of fear.” “Despite these challenging conditions, the accompaniers also reported positive feedback from the communities they visited, highlighting a continued spirit of resilience and appreciation for their support.” Carla Khijoyan, the WCC Programme Executive for Peacebuilding in the Middle East, moderated the meeting, which addressed a range of issues, including an analysis of the current geopolitical and economic developments in the region and their impact on the operations of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. Key agenda items also included finances, sustainability, advocacy, and communication. “At the heart of violence and turmoil in the Middle East, our unwavering presence, accompaniment, and advocacy are more essential than ever. We must stand in steadfast solidarity, lifting the voices of those who have endured profound and relentless injustices for far too long," asserted Khijoyan. "Now is the time to act—not merely to witness, but to stand firmly with those who suffer and ensure their voices resonate across the world.” Sharing their experience from the programme in the United Kingdom and Ireland, one of the national coordinators stressed the uniqueness of the witness of ecumenical accompaniers through the years, and in particular as it strengthens the impact in public advocacy. “There are many organizations out there who work for justice, for peace, for human rights in different ways – which is important – but what makes our work as WCC-EAPPI so different is the human stories, that our people were actually there, and when we talk about people suffering injustice in Palestine and Israel, we genuinely met these people,” they said. Mirtha Villa, national coordinator in Uruguay and one who served herself recently as ecumenical accompanier, echoed the need to share what is happening on the ground in a way that moves people around the globe to speak up and act for justice and peace. “We need to talk about the situation not least for the women, the children, the situation is simply so violent and difficult today. But we really have the commitment to visit the communities, to reflect on what we have seen, and to think how to express and share the work in a way that reaches people,” she said. Iskandar Majlaton, who serves as WCC-EAPPI local programme coordinator, stressed the importance of coming together to reaffirm commitment and strengthen the shared voice calling out for justice and peace in the Holy Land. “It is both our conviction and our duty to persist, in bringing to light the lack of protection, and of justice, for the local communities that we serve. Only then can we hope for, and help bring about, the necessary change,” he said. Learn more about the WCC-EAPPI | 
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