Christian Ecumenical Accompanier Attacked in Hebron, West Bank

A member of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI) has been attacked by a woman settler in the Tel Rumeida district of Hebron, 23rd June 2006.

In the region a scheme has been set up where Christian volunteers accompany children to school. Duduzile Masango, one South African ecumenical accompanier was attacked by an elderly settler woman, who pulled a towel tightly around her head.

The World Council of Churches report that it is not known if the woman intended to suffocate her, but the accompanier had difficulty breathing. Stones were also thrown at Masango and four other internationals who were with her. The incident left her shaken, although she did not need to receive medical treatment.

Reports also suggest that a soldier was also at the scene and did nothing to stop the attack.