From 12 September - 24 November 2024, placements were open in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Jordan Valley communities. The ecumenical accompaniers reported on violence, displacement, access, attacks, infringement on sources of livelihood, arrests, injuries, and harassment that makes people’s lives difficult. Violence against Palestinians amounted to 64% of the violations, an increase from the 57% reported by the previous group. During this timespan, accompaniers filed 1,197 incident reports, out of which approximately 853 were referred for followup and immediate assistance by the International Committee of the Red Cross; or by Israeli, Palestinian, international, and United Nations organizations. The accompaniers carried out 747 field visits during which they provided a protective presence, monitored checkpoints, led briefings, supported nonviolent action, provided solidarity to Israeli human rights organizations, and offered interventions that ensured a visible, active presence. From 25 November 2024 - 8 January 2025, ecumenical accompaniers deployed in the same areas filed 775 incident reports out of which approximately 465 were referred for immediate assistance. The programme is in the fifth placement since the war started in October 2023, amidst ever escalating violence by settlers and growing need for protection of Palestinian residents. Examples of incidentsThe accompaniers’ latest reports offered many examples of incidents. In Bethlehem, on 28 October, Palestinian farmers from Kisan village went to collect their olive harvest, after they received permits to do so, in the vicinity of an Israeli settlement. Settlers arrived with guns, sticks, and slingshots, and they threatened the farmers, who called the District Coordination Office and the police. Israeli soldiers arrived and tried to control the settlers but the settlers remained unrestrained and continued to throw rocks at the Palestinian farmers. In Jerusalem, on 22 November, shortly before a noon prayer, Palestinians were pushed away violently from Al Ghazali Square. Within a period of 30 minutes, 102 young men and five young boys were prevented from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. Also from the direction of the Cotton Market, 48 worshipers were stopped by Israeli security forces, and adult men were denied access to the mosque. In Jordan Valley, on 18 November, settlers and Israeli military personnel arrived at Ein Al-Beida and confiscated from two farmers 30 solar panels, three electricity generators, and five water pumps. No less than 13 homes have been demolished in the nearby Um Al-Jamal, after the Palestinian residents left due to fear. Also in the Jordan Valley, on 16 September, a number of settlers attacked Al Mua'rrajat community school with axes and clubs, terrorizing the school teachers and children. On top of that, the Israeli security forces came and arrested the headteacher. Ecumenical accompaniers visited a classroom that was used for children with learning difficulties. The accompaniers saw papers all over the floor, a filing cabinet emptied, and children's work and teaching materials scattered on the concrete floor. Items included officially stamped papers, laminated cutout Arabic letters backed in Velcro, and children's wobbly handwriting sheets. One day after the incident, the accompaniers saw a drone flying over the school. The day before, there had been an attack on the school, so a lot of people—including politicians, journalists, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations—were present at the school when the drone was there. “This incident has brought a family to decide to leave their home at Muarrajat East because they didn't feel safe anymore,” said Iskandar Majlaton, local programme coordinator for the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel. “Furthermore, another family sold all their sheep in preparation to leave, too.” On 5 December 2024, Nawal Barakat, woman activist and leader from An Nabi Samwil reported that her access was restricted to and from the village. Soldiers at the checkpoint told her that she was no longer on the list of residents. She spoke to a lawyer, the Palestinian Authority, and journalists, and consequently she was given a temporary permit to enter An Nabi Samwil but the issue remains unresolved. People expressed appreciation for the ecumenical accompaniers, saying they felt safer, and that they appreciated the visits to the various communities as well as participation in the olive harvest. "Thank you. We appreciate everything you do for us here,” said Rawan, a 25-year-old lawyer at Qalandia Refugee Camp, Jerusalem. | 
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