CPTnet
October 4, 2002
JERUSALEM: CPT Rapid Response team begins work

On October 1, Christian Peacemaker Teams placed CPTers Deanna Boyd
(Chicago) and Anne Montgomery (New York) in Jerusalem as a Rapid Response
Team. Their assignment will involve arriving as quickly as possible at the
scene of large explosions and providing on-site ministry for Israeli and
Palestinian victims. "By responding to violent events with compassion,
empathy and nderstanding,
we believe a message of peace is possible," said Deanna Boyd. "Anne
Montgomery and I will join with others, Israelis and Palestinians, who are
working diligently for a peace process. Our voices will be joined with
theirs."

Boyd, and Montgomery will form the first Rapid Response Team. The project
will continue for five weeks, with an option to extend. Mary Lawrence and
Kathleen Kern will replace Boyd and Montgomery at the end of October.

"In the event of any bombing, we want to express the sorrow of the world at
yet another
life-ending explosion," said Rich Meyer, CPT Hebron Team Support. "Each
Israeli helicopter missile shot into a Palestinian home and each
Palestinian suicide bombing is another step up the ladder of escalating
violence. We cannot predict these attacks in advance. The Rapid Response
Team will try to get to the scene as quickly as possible to offer a
pastoral and compassionate presence."

CPT's base in the area will remain in Hebron, where CPT has maintained a
team for seven years. As the number of CPTers available for active
peacemaking has increased, CPT has been able to expand, first to the
village of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron, where CPT has supported a team for
several months. The new Rapid Response Team in Jerusalem will be more
mobile than the teams in Beit Ummar and Hebron because of the closures and
curfews imposed by the Israeli military on the latter two locations.

"Whatever hope we can offer those whom are truly suffering in this conflict
will be worth the journey," Boyd said. "There must always be hope. I
believe the true character of God, Yahweh, Allah, always transcends the
horror and insanity of violence. Anne Montgomery and I will join with
others, Israelis and Palestinians, who are working diligently for a peace
process. Our voices will be joined with theirs."