(RNS) — The North American activist group Christian Peacemaker Teams, which lost a member to violence in Baghdad this year, is sending 12 delegates to the West Bank town of Hebron on July 26 for a short course on peacemaking.
“Those who believe in nonviolence have to be as willing to take risks as soldiers who believe in violent ways in solving problems,” said Claire Evans, delegation coordinator for Christian Peacemaker Teams.
The peace activists drew international attention after members of their group were kidnapped in Baghdad in November, an incident that led to the death of an American, Tom Fox. His body was discovered in early March.
Earlier this year, the group sent two other 12-day delegations to the West Bank and plans to send two more in the fall and winter. The delegates will enter Hebron at a time of turmoil in the Middle East.
During the educational trip, delegates will hear from human rights groups from both Israel and Palestine, and meet in Hebron with full-time peace activists who have committed to a three-year position with Christian Peacemaker Teams.