EAPPI IS A WORLD-WIDE NETWORK. OUR EAPPI NATIONAL COORDINATION OFFICES IN 26 COUNTRIES WORK HARD TO RECRUIT EAPPI HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS AND COORDINATE THEIR ADVOCACY WHEN THEY RETURN HOME. TODAY, WE BEGIN A SERIES IN WHICH WE GET TO HEAR FROM THESE DEDICATED SUPPORTERS OF EAPPI ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Rod Benson, of EAPPI Australia, shares his personal story of involvement with EAPPI.
Tell me how you first got involved with EAPPI
My first visit to Israel-Palestine was in December 2007 with a delegation of Australian Heads of Churches, sponsored by the Jerusalem Heads of Churches. As well as many meetings in Jerusalem, we visited Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin and Ramallah, and were briefed by various human rights groups including EAPPI accompaniers who led us on a tour of Hebron and the al-Arroub refugee camp.
On my return to Australia, there was significant opposition to our public statements from the local Jewish community, and it became clear that I should respond in a measured and peaceful way, not only with words but in actions. At the same time, an investigation group commissioned by the National Council of Churches in Australia was developing a proposal to create a national EAPPI presence in Australia. This was approved in March 2008 and I was invited to join the new committee.
Six years later I am still here, better informed, better equipped, and more passionate than ever to seek justice for Palestinian citizens of Israel and an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
What has surprised you most about working with EAPPI?
First, it is so inspiring to witness volunteers from remarkably different national, religious and ethnic backgrounds joining together to provide accompaniment for powerless and voiceless people who struggle every day against sometimes overwhelming hardship and injustice.
Second, I like the clear focus of EAPPI’s mission to provide protective presence to vulnerable communities, monitor and report human rights abuses and support Palestinians and Israelis working together for peace. We don’t provide financial aid, or material support, or engage in education and training. We just do accompaniment, and no other agency does this.
Third, an enormous amount of work is done by the ecumenical accompaniers, and by the dedicated staff based at the Jerusalem office, with quite limited human and financial resources. I am very grateful to those who stretch budgets and work diligently and sacrificially to ensure that the field programs continue to operate, problems are resolved, numbers are crunched, and justice is served.
What’s your personal philosophy on what should be done to end the Israeli occupation and achieve peace in Israel and Palestine?
Peace will come when there is no more need for the Separation Wall, the segregated roads, the existential fear of violence and reprisal, and other symbolic and actual barriers to freedom and harmony between people. The situation today is complex and in my opinion has deteriorated since my first visit in 2007.
We must always insist on non-violent means to end the occupation and achieve peace. Diplomacy, advocacy, economic measures of pressure, education, aid and development, art and sport, accompaniment, modeling alternative communities – all have their place in the pursuit of peace.
The future lies with the children, and it is they who must renew hope in the hearts and minds of disillusioned parents and grandparents, and dare to imagine that another world is possible.
What do you find the most challenging about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict?
It seems clear that both Israelis and Palestinians perversely rely on the ongoing conflict in order to assert and give shape to their personal and political identity. Neither side shows any credible sign of willingness to commit to peaceful coexistence, despite the enormous power imbalance that exists in the region and the terrible human cost of occupation and subjugation.
What do you wish other people knew about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict?
I was raised in a religious community profoundly committed to Christian Zionism. I wish my Christian friends could see the fallacy of such an approach to theology and geopolitical history, and instead become champions of justice and peace, expressing their faith through service with groups like EAPPI.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining EAPPI?
If you are passionate about justice and adventure, I cannot think of a more rewarding investment of your time and savings than as an ecumenical accompanier. The experience will change you, inspire you, and equip you to be and do what you never imagined possible. The people of Israel and Palestine need you. Go!
Rod Benson is an ordained Baptist minister in Sydney who works as Research Support Officer at Moore Theological College. Previously he served as Ethicist and Public Theologian at Morling College, and Public Affairs Director for the NSW Council of Churches. This article was first published on the EAPPI website on 26 February 2014. Views expressed in this article are personal.
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