David Mowat, who graduated in 2004 with an MSc in Human Ecology, is to spend three months in Palestine as a human rights advocate. As part of a World Council of Churches programme he will accompany Israeli peace workers, and Palestinians resisting the occupation in their daily agriculture and schooling. 

By doing so he will risk being shot or detained, but he feels they are risks worth taking.

David said: “We are being asked to do specific things, like help farmers gain access to their land which may lie the other side of the newly built wall, as soldiers are often arbitrary over gate opening times and sometimes behave better when internationals are watching.

“Or we may accompany children to school in places where some settlers have been harassing them. Sometimes we’ll join Israeli peace activists and Palestinians as they demonstrate against the wall which has been built well inside the ‘Green Line’. Most of all, we will listen to all sides, watch and tell stories of what it is actually like for people, Israelis and Palestinians, to live in these conditions, so that people take action here.”

David explained that the advocacy work is necessary because, in the absence of UN support due to US vetoes and UK abstentions, church leaders in Jerusalem have requested international help to highlight the problems faced in Palestine.

The problems cited include the expansion of Israeli building and the ruining of thousands of livelihoods in Palestine, occupied territory since the war of 1967. It is against the Geneva Convention for an occupying power to settle on or unlawfully take land. Many Israelis claim that the West Bank is part of historic Israel whilst others regard their military presence as a temporary necessity to secure safe borders.

On a lighter note, David is combining his peace work with his love of music by playing trumpet at a jazz concert called the ‘East Bristol Jazz Benefit’ later this month. It takes place at Seymours Family Club at St Philips in Bristol on February 9th and is to raise money for musical instruments for children in Palestine. Anyone interested can get more information by phoning 0117 929 0093.