The first 10 days have been filled with training by the permanent staff of EAPPI, and the departing EAs who we take over from.

I am joined with 5 other EAs 1 from South Africa, 2 from Sweden, I Norwegian and 1 Scot.

Our tasks require us to monitor activities at 4 checkpoints at the Separation Wall. EAs monitor delays Palestinians experience at crossings, a common occurrence; try and assist Palestinians who may be having difficulties with the IDF. For example a West Bank Palestinian may not have a pass to enter Jerusalem and be in need of medical care. In the event the person is being transported in an ambulance, we would try to assist by discussing with the soldiers the medical need to let them pass because of humanitarian reasons, which may or may not guarantee passage. Many women have given birth at checkpoints.

Twice per week we go in the Hospital bus to Hebron which picks up patients and brings them to the Hospital where our accommodation is also located in the same campus. Our role here is to help patients through the various checkpoints in the event the IDF create problems. It is important to understand that Palestinians are enclosed by the wall and do not have free movement within their own territory. For example if we had a wall up to 30 feet high along the 401 and everyone north of the 401 was required to have a special pass to cross into Toronto life would be difficult. This is what the West Bank Palestinians face everyday in their lives. To get a pass they have to prove employment or previously been a resident who has lost their home to the Israeli authorities during conflict.

Getting a pass is becoming more difficult and can be taken away for even minor violations or for purely arbitrary reasons.

We are active in 2 Refugee camps specifically working in their schools in various roles. In Shuafaat Camp which was built in 1948 to accommodate people who retreated from Jerusalem in the first war as the Israelis advanced, designed for 500 families, now there are 30,000 people crammed into 1 kilometer square.

I can only describe it as a slum, 60-70% unemployment, suffering from the crime that poverty generates.

We interact with various peace organizations, mostly Israeli giving them encouragement, at times participating in their activities, such as Women in Black.

The U.N. is very active in the West Bank without them it would be a total disaster. The EU is providing emergency funds, however it does not match the loss of funding from Western countries such as Canada who have cut off all funding to the P.A. Supposedly the Canadian Government, the first nation to do so on the basis a political party Hamas does not recognize Israel. It is the people of Palestine who suffer as a result of political expediency and Canada's national interest. In addition the Canadian Government Agency CIDA has cut off funding for "Technical and Vocational Training for Palestinian Women" I fail to see what that has to do with Hamas. Fortunately the UN is picking up this program. Saudi Arabia is generously funding the Refugee camps through the UN. The physical problems of the separation barrier coupled with Israeli restrictions have destroyed the Palestinian economy.

The big crunch for the Palestinian people is their loss of pride and dignity; they are prisoners within their own land, with little hope. The World Council of Churches has provided greatly in this program I am involved in. Daily I get a pat on the back from Palestinian men thanking me for being present.

The Israeli people vary greatly from the "leftists" who support withdrawal from the West Bank of the IDF and the Zionists who would drive the Palestinians from the West Bank. In between there is the mass of Israeli people who just hide their heads in the sand.

Naturei Karta an orthodox group of Jews, biblically centered say the state of Israel cannot arrive until the arrival of the Messiah and enjoy a relationship with the P.A.

The bad joke going around is that Jesus would return to Israel but he cannot get a visa from the Israeli government.

We attended a Bedouin camp meeting in the hills outside Jerusalem organized by the UN. The Bedouins in 1950 were removed from the Negev Desert by the IDF. Since that time they have been moved 4 times. Now they are about to be moved again, their home (shacks) demolished to make way for the Wall and new Jewish settlements. A whole culture of nomadic people is being destroyed.

There are thousands of prayers being offered to God by Jews, Muslins and Christians daily within the walls of Jerusalem to bring about peace in this troubled land. This time of Lent causes us to look at ourselves in terms of Christ's sacrifice made for all people and the hope of all believers that mankind will look into their souls and recognize their human self centeredness.

I work for the Presbyterian Church in Canada as an Ecumenical Accompanier serving on the World Council of Churches Ecumenical Programme in Palestine and Israel. (EAPPI).

The view contained herein are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer the P.C.C.