He’s called Gilbert Charbonnier and has been chosen by the Federation of the French Protestant Churches to go to the Holy Land for three months to bear witness to the solidarity of the European Churches. The project forms part of the international mission promoted by the WCC and will last from 7 April to 7 July. Its aim is to support the ecumenical campaign for a “just peace in the Middle East” and to accompany the Churches of Israel and the occupied territories in their actions for peace. During their stay in the Holy Land the representatives of the Churches will also have the task of drawing up a report on violations of human rights and international law; they will offer protection by their peaceful presence and thus express the solidarity of the Churches and all those campaigning against the occupation. The programme has involved a total of 59 representatives of 30 Churches in 8 countries: Canada, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, UK, Ireland and France.
