Life in the Slow Lane – A View of Life in Palestine

Andrew Telfer is a member of Seacliff Uniting Church and a retired SA Police Superintendent. An interest in justice, human rights and international development led him to volunteer for deployment in the West Bank/East Jerusalem with the World Council of Churches’ Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). This programme is currently administered in Australia by Act for Peace. In 2019 Andrew was deployed for three months as an Ecumenical Accompanier (EA) in Hebron in the West Bank and at the end of 2022 was privileged to spend three months in East Jerusalem.

During his illustrated presentation Andrew will provide a brief summary of relevant historical issues but primarily discuss the roles of EAs and his experiences of life for Palestinians living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Their lives, under the Israeli Occupation, are very difficult and Andrew will describe the impact of such aspects as the Israeli Security/Separation wall, checkpoints, permits, and the construction of Israeli settlements in Palestine. But, of course, there were many positive experiences during his deployments, which were a time of great blessing and privilege.

This event is sponsored by the Social Issues and Progressive Christianity Network Task Groups of the Effective Living Centre.

There is no admission charge for this event. However, donations will be received either upon registration, or by cash or card on the day, with proceeds sent to support the work of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), administered in Australia by the Act for Peace arm of the Australian Council of Churches.