British grandmother to join peace activists in Holy Land

Rosemary Read, a Catholic grandmother of five, will leave her home town of Derby on 10 September to work in Israel/Palestine for three months. She will be accompanying peace activists - both Israeli and Palestinian - and observing and reporting on human rights abuses committed by any group. Her work is part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) of the World Council of Churches. This is a project that is supported by Pax Christi International and the British Section of Pax Christi. Rosemary, whose fifth grandchild was born in June said: "The situation in the Middle East is desperate. It is the cradle of three of the greatest faiths in the world and yet experiences much violence and distrust. It needs members of the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of the region and report on what they see. Now that my own children are independent, I have the opportunity to offer three months of my life to do this." Rosemary, who sits on the executive Committee of Pax Christi is a former outreach worker for the National Justice and Peace Network, hopes to share her experience with people of all faiths and any others interested upon her return to England. The EAPPI was launched following a call by the heads of churches in Jerusalem for an ecumenical presence in the Holy land. Recently Michel Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem had this to say about the programme: " The love of Christ is not only for Christians; it is for everyone. And to the ecumenical accompaniers from the World Council of Churches, we called upon you and you came. We have put faith in you and we are always with you. This is a occasion to thank you, and also to thank the churches you represent." The Patriarch is also the International President of Pax Christi.