Local woman shares her experiences as a human rights monitor in the West Bank

Carrick-on-Shannon resident Lisa Hitchen has returned from a transformative three-month mission in Palestine, where she served as a human rights monitor in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. As part of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI), an initiative of the World Council of Churches coordinated in the UK and Ireland by Quakers Peace and Social Witness, Lisa witnessed daily human rights violations and the ongoing struggles faced by Palestinian communities living under occupation.

Lisa’s work involved providing a protective presence to vulnerable communities threatened by violence from Israeli settlers and military personnel. She frequently escorted children to school, supported farmers in accessing their lands, and monitored access to healthcare, education, and places of worship. “The reality is that these communities live under constant threat,” Lisa explained. “My role was to stand with them, offer support, and bear witness to what was happening.”

Now back in Ireland, Lisa is eager to share her firsthand experiences and insights. She will be holding an event titled “Stories from Israel and the West Bank” at the Leitrim Volunteer Centre on Wednesday, 20th November at 7 p.m. The event will provide a unique opportunity for the community to hear directly from Lisa about daily life under occupation and the challenges facing Palestinians. Lisa will also discuss what can be done to create peace in the region.

“Life in Palestine is a daily struggle for basic rights and freedoms,” Lisa said. “People face constant restrictions—whether it’s accessing healthcare, education, or simply traveling freely. But what I saw was also incredible resilience and a hope for peace.”

The event is open to all, and Lisa encourages anyone interested in learning more about the situation in Palestine to attend. “It’s important that people understand what’s happening and how we can work together to advocate for a just peace,” she added.

All are welcome to come and hear Lisa’s powerful testimony from her time as a human rights monitor in Palestine.