2011 Voices of the Peace-Builders Delegation

Interfaith Peace-Builders Delegation Arrives in Israel/Palestine

Reports from IFPB's 36th Delegation (May 21 - June 3,2011):

Delegation 36 Announcement
Report 1: The Journey Begins
Report 2: Willing Ourselves to See
Report 3: Continuing Struggle
Report 4: Like No Other Place

USE MENU AT RIGHT TO READ REPORTS FROM THE FIELD AND VIEW PHOTOS AS AVAILABLE

May 23, 2011 - Interfaith Peace-Builders (IFPB) is pleased to announce that our 31-member delegation to Israel/Palestine arrived at Ben-Gurion airport Monday morning and is now safely in Jerusalem.

The purpose of this delegation, the 36th to make the trip since 2001, is to educate North Americans about the region and deepen their understanding of its conflicts.

The delegation will explore Palestinian and Israeli efforts to achieve peace and a resolution to their conflict based on justice and feature meetings with Palestinian and Israeli peace-builders — leaders of civil society groups, grassroots organizers, religious leaders and more.  Given the current situation in the West Bank, the delegation will focus on learning about the challenges facing nonviolent activists resisting occupation.

The political situation in the region opened up recently when Palestinian factions signed a unity deal that could end years of political stalemate. President Obama also issued a strong statement last week entreating Israel to make concessions necessary for the creation of a Palestinian State in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. These developments have set the onus on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who is currently in Washington to address a joint session of the US Congress.

May also marks the annual commemoration of Israel’s independence and the Palestinian Nakba (Catastrophe) and the birth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  In commemoration of these events, on May 15 Palestinian refugees led massive nonviolent demonstrations on Israel's borders. Israeli soldiers responded with deadly force killing scores of demonstrators and wounding hundreds more.

Participants on this delegation have the unique opportunity to hear directly from Palestinians and Israelis regarding these developments and sharing their hopes for peace and the role of the US government in promoting a resolution to the conflict.

A photo of the delegates at orientation in Washington, DC.

The delegation includes the following people:

Haneen Abuqalbeen - Tampa, Florida
Michael Argaman - Rochester, New York
Anna Baltzer - St. Louis, Missouri
Lisa Barksdale - Allston, Massachusetts
Steve Bell - Mt. Berry, Georgia
Ben Bell - Mt. Berry, Georgia
Harvie Branscomb - Basalt, Colorado
Amanda Cruz-Mujica - Tampa, Florida
Amy Damashek - Kalamazoo, Michigan
Peter Dziedzic - Addison, Illinois
Ronna Grimes - Rochester, New York
Arlene Halfon - Washington DC
Alex Hartmann - Bellevue, Nebraska
Adam Horowitz - New York, New York
Elaine Johnson - Pittsford, New York
Sara Traub - Toronto, Ontario
Colleen Kelly - St. Louis, Missouri
Robert Kuhlmann - Flushing, New York
Tammy McLane - New Port Richey, Florida
Tiffany McLane - New Port Richey, Florida
Kim Nesta - Ithaca, New York
Rusty Olson - Rochester, New York
Jeanette Olson - Rochester, New York
Lydia  Ray - Annandale, Virginia
Dick Rudloff - Alameda, California
Linc Spaulding - Rochester, New York
Sue Spaulding - Rochester, New York
Vince Stravino - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Will Thomas - Auburn, New Hampshire
Beth Woolever - Rochester, New York

Interfaith Peace-Builders believes in the power of eye-witness experience and transformation. Given the opportunity to speak directly with Israelis and Palestinians, delegates return to the United States better informed, more energized, and with a deeper understanding of the possibilities for true justice in the Middle East.

Upon their return to the United States, delegates will share their experiences with the public, the media, and their political representatives.

Media interested in interviewing the participants when they return, and groups wanting information about speaking engagements, should contact Interfaith Peace-Builders at or 415.240.4607.