WCC NEWS: New accompaniers commissioned in Palestine and Israel

A commissioning ceremony was held on 24 June in Jerusalem during which a group of ecumenical accompaniers ended their term of service, and passed along the ministry to the next group.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 30 June 2026 The ceremony—a traditional part of the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel—was attended by a diverse audience of clergy from around the world, staff, and supporters, with many others participating virtually.    The centerpiece of the ceremony was the symbolic "Passing of the Light" during the singing of the Arabic prayer song Yarabba ssalami (Oh God of Peace). The Passing of the Light represents the transfer of responsibility, the continuity of the mission, and the call to "walk in the Light" with the people of Palestine and Israel so they can both live in peace, justice, and dignity. The ceremony marked the first in-person commissioning since a three-month pause in the program's physical presence, after ecumenical accompaniers were evacuated in March 2026 following the outbreak of war in the Middle East. “The handover ceremony speaks to the perseverance of the programme, to keep going at a difficult time but also at a time when protection and advocacy are needed most,” said Iskandar Majlaton, program coordinator. “It speaks also to the commitment by partners worldwide to come together in prayer and action that seek to bring peace for all in the Holy Land."   Majlaton, during his reflections, said that the scripture calls us to a love that is active, visible, and steadfast. “This is the cornerstone of our mission: to love tangibly, to seek justice clearly, and to stand alongside those whom God has placed before us, amplifying their voices in times of profound need,” he said. “We are gathered today not just for a handover, but for restoration.” The commitment to achieving a just peace in Israel and Palestine under international humanitarian law never wavered, Majlaton added. “The program endured, not only in spirit, but in action.” Whether they are walking the dusty roads of the West Bank or monitoring the situation through a screen from afar, the presence of ecumenical accompaniers matters deeply, said Majlaton.  “You are one team, united in purpose,” he said. “Since 2002, 104 groups have answered this call to stand as witnesses, a testament to an unbroken chain of faith in action, even when physical presence was interrupted.” 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