WCC NEWS: Accompaniers in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jordan Valley, and South Hebron Hills show “someone from the international community cares”

A new group from the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel have released a report on incidents in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Jordan Valley, and South Hebron Hills. Ecumenical Accompaniers pictured walking along a street in the wider Bethlehem area. File Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 20 March 2025 The latest group of ecumenical accompaniers marks the sixth successful implementation underway since the war started on 7 October 2023. The WCC Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel has managed 80 accompaniers since the war started and expanded to South Hebron Hills with the latest group.  From 27 January 2024 to mid-March 2025, ecumenical accompaniers carried out 3,296 activities and visits, and reported 4,323 incidents, with 5,094 international humanitarian law violations out of which 2,590 cases were referred for immediate assistance by the International Committee of the Red Cross, Israeli, Palestinian, international, and United Nations organizations. An example of an incident in Bethlehem: on 6 March, a woman from Jubbet adh Dhib reported that she and her son were attacked by settlers as she was taking him to see a doctor.  The attack occurred at 2 am, and now the woman is trying to take care of her son at home so they do not have to leave for medical treatment.  In Jerusalem, on 2 March, residents of Hizma village reported that their homes were raided by soldiers repeatedly at night and that belongings were destroyed.  The Palestinian families are focused on comforting each other, and they feel that they have no one to report to.  In Jordan Valley, on 8 March, six families of Ras ‘Ein al ‘Auja village reported that their sheep and goats were confiscated by Israeli security forces and settlers. One man was arrested because he tried to protect his sheep, and the residents know nothing about his whereabouts.  In South Hebron Hills, on 6 March, a Palestinian woman in the village of Umm Al Amad reported daily harassment by Israeli soldiers and settlers, that settlers have a lookout point, and that they observe the community. She also reported that soldiers vandalized a small shop that she owns. The woman has a demolition order against her home.  “It is good that people here see and know about your presence, and that someone from the international community cares,” said one resident during a visit to Wings of Hope trauma center in Bethlehem on 10 February. “God is the power that give us hope. Knowing that we have eternal life gives meaning to our life. Helping others is the medicine that gives us power and makes us feel good in spite of everything that happens around us,” said the principal of Al-Khader School to the ecumenical accompaniers on 9 February. “God created in our hearts the will to help others, after all we are one family, and when you smile at me I smile at you.”  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 Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: From Bethlehem: “We have peace despite our circumstances”

Rev. Dr Munther Isaac from the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, is academic dean at the Bethlehem Bible College. Below, he reflects on how, during 2020, the celebration of Christmas in Bethlehem, though vastly different than in the past, still brought hope and comfort.

The Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

07 January 2021

How did you celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem in 2020? Dr Isaac: Thank God for the gift of technology! In the last few months, we have relied heavily on online services using our social media platform. Christmas was not that much different. We are asking people to put their health and that of their neighbors first. Those wishing still to attend the Christmas services, were asked to wear masks the whole time and stay distant from one another; alternatively, people could pray from their homes while watching our services online. What does Bethlehem look like, with churches open or closed? Is the Christmas tree lit as always? Dr Isaac: Bethlehem is not the same this year. Streets are empty. No pilgrims, shops are closed, and the manger square looks different. We did light the Christmas tree, but the celebration took place without the people! It was just a few clergy, and state and city officials. Most churches went on as planned with Christmas services, but with very limited participation. The same is true about the traditional processions on 24 December welcoming the Patriarchs into Bethlehem—they took place but with very limited participation. How did you reach out to your congregation during the Christmas season? Dr Isaac: These are difficult days for the Bethlehem community. It is hard to put into words the economic effects of the pandemic, given that Bethlehem relies heavily on tourism. Churches are trying to help as much as they can, by giving financial and moral support. It is hard to see families struggling to survive. At the same time, it is encouraging to see the response of many of our church members and our community, and of course many partner churches, who gave generously to support our ministry. At the same time, some of our members were infected by COVID-19, and we try to encourage them on the phone and on social media.  In my sermons this month, I focused on the idea of God having solidarity with us! During Christmas, we remember how the Word became flesh, and this happened in very difficult situations. Jesus became a man in challenging times; things were never easy for him while he was on earth. He was not born or raised in a position of privilege. This is empowering and a source of comfort. Do you have a wish or prayer for the fellowship of churches from Bethlehem? Dr Isaac: That we realize the power in the reality of “Immanuel." We are indeed not alone—it might feel so, with the political reality of isolation; the daily reality of walls and checkpoints; and COVID-19. Yet I hope and pray that we remember, that in the midst of all of this, and despite all of this, we can find comfort and true peace in the baby born in a cave! We have peace despite our circumstances, not because of them. WCC member churches in the Holy Land Christmas Carols from Bethlehem WCC Christmas Message 2020 In 2020 Christmas message, WCC puts forth “fragile hope” and “sound of angels in the air”

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