WCC NEWS: Accompaniers in Palestine and Israel keep continual pursuit of peace

As one group of ecumenical accompaniers left, and another took its place, the pursuit of peace remained uninterrupted in Palestine and Israel, even through grave challenges. Rev. Canon Donald D. Binder of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem (centre) and Bishop dr Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (left) pictured at the altar during the WCC-EAPPI handover service on 22 January 2026. Photo: WCC 27 January 2026 A “handover ceremony”—a longstanding tradition for the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel—drew people together to share prayers and wishes with the outgoing and incoming accompaniers.  They gathered in the historic St George’s Cathedral—a sacred space that for generations has stood as a beacon of faith, resilience, and hope in Jerusalem.  Rev. Canon Don Binder opened and closed the prayers, and Imad Haddad, new Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, provided a short reflection as well as the closing prayer in Arabic. “We come together today united not only by faith, but by a shared commitment to profoundly universal values: peace, justice, human dignity, and the courage to stand with those whose rights are threatened,” said Iskandar Majlaton, programme coordinator for the WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel.  The 16 outgoing accompaniers, during their three months serving in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jordan Valley, and the South Hebron Hills, stood alongside communities facing the harsh realities of occupation.  “In doing so, you embodied the core value of solidarity with those whose fundamental rights are at risk,” said Majlaton. “Your impact has been both tangible and profound.” The accompaniers carried out nearly 600 activities and documented close to 700 human rights violations.  “These are not just numbers,” noted Majlaton. “They represent lives, stories, and acts of courageous truth-telling.” Now these accompaniers will return home as ambassadors for peace.  “In a world shaped by competing narratives and selective truths, your voices matter more than ever,” said Majlaton. “You have a responsibility—and a unique opportunity—to speak to your communities, your leaders, and your nation about why this work matters: not only for Palestinians and Israelis, but for all who believe in a world governed by law, compassion, and moral responsibility.” Incoming accompaniers The incoming accompaniers arrive at a moment of deep challenge—and enduring hope. “You step into a legacy shaped by those who came before you, bringing renewed commitment to the principles of ecumenical accompaniment,” said Majlaton. “Your presence here reflects the best of the global spirit: a willingness to engage the world’s hardest realities with humility, courage, and compassion.” 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 356 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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland