During the WCC 10th Assembly, I had the privilege of joining EAPPI’s talk show, Tea time for Peace in Israel and Palestine, in order to share my personal experience as EAs with people having concerns on the issue of the relationship between Palestine and Israel. Here is my presentation file, <shalom,>. I’d love to share this with you!

1. Shalom, As-salamu alakum, 평화!
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”(Matthew 22:39)
Tea time for Peace in Israel and Palestine
6th of November, 2013
Sunkyo, PARK
(The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea)

2. Reasons for becoming an EA
 Wanted to witness a “real” situation of Israel and Palestine
 Theological perspectives,
1.
To examine a dichotomous thinking which Israelis are
always good and Palestine(s) are always bad
2.
To look for a possibility which religions can play a role for
being a peacemaker

3. Bethlehem-The Holy Land?

4. The Separation Wall
 In April 2002, Israeli government
planed to set the separation wall
which they believe it as “the security
wall”
 The total length of the wall is 708
km. It has been completed 62%. 8%
is under construction. And the rest
of them is planned.
 In 2004, the International Court of
Justice, ICJ) ruled the wall
unconstitutional.
 UN report(2011)-522 check point

5. Problems of the wall-Monitoring CP 300
 No freedom of residence and work
 Surveillance societies by Israeli
soldiers
 Human rights violation
 EAs monitor a checkpoint 300
every day from 4:00 in the
morning

6. People living under the separation wall-throwing a stone
 In Bethlehem, I encountered an
armed conflict between Israeli
soldiers and Palestine children.
 Witnessed a child holding a stone,
which is the way of defending
himself against armed soldiers.
 Why did he hold the stone?

7. People living under the separation wall-Village visit
 In order to visit An Nu’man village, I
had to pass a checkpoint which
operates only for this village.
 The story of this woman, her house
was demolished by Israeli soldiers.
But it is difficult to build a house
because she can’t bring building
supplies such as pipe, lumber and all
the other things.
 The more serious problem is that her
child suffered from psychological
trauma.

8. People living under the separation wall-School Run

Right to Education!

EAPPI runs a school run programme with
the cooperation of UNICEF.

There are three different roads-only for
Israelite(s), especially (illegal) settlers,
only for Palestine(s), and for both of them

All most problems are occurred on the road
which Israelite and Palestine use. Palestine
students throw stones toward Israeli settlers.

In order to prevent the problem, Israeli
soldiers stand on the street and tighten
guard. There are many incidents between
soldiers and students.

9. Churches’ responsibilities for Peace in this region
 Churches support a movement for
Palestine people, by the people, and
of the people.
 Got a wisdom from Tent of Nations;
People Building Bridges
 David, the owner of family farm,
has been trying to transform their
angers and sorrows into peace with a
peaceful manner.
 Every year, many foreigners visit the
farm to support and promote the
peace.