Assessing the Prospects for Peace:
40 Years of Occupation, 40 Years of Nonviolent Resistance

Interfaith Peace-Builders & American Friends Service Committee

May/June 2007

The May/June 2007 Delegation was jointly organized by the American Friends Service Committee and Interfaith Peace-Builders. The theme of the delegation was "Assessing the Prospects for Peace: 40 Years of Occupation, 40 Years of Nonviolent Resistance."

In a tense climate with an intensified siege on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the prospect of a Palestinian Civil War, and the possibility of a nuclear Iran, these delegates have had the unique experience of learning about the Middle East through the eyes of those who live there.

The delegates met with a diverse array of Palestinians and Israelis who shared their observations on the current situation, the effects of United States foreign policy in the region, and the possibilities for a just and sustainable peace. Interfaith Peace-Builders delegatesspent one night in Palestinian homes, giving them unique insight into the hardships of Palestinian daily life in the West Bank and also will meet with different sectors of Israeli society.

Delegates joined with the nonviolent peace movement in Israel and Palestine. The group visited the Palestinian village of Bili’in, which has organized weekly demonstrations against the building of Israel’s Separation Wall and the confiscation of their village lands. Delegates participated in a weekly vigil by Women in Black.

 

delegation 22

A photo of the delegates in Washington, DC.

The delegation includes the following people:

Michael Batchelder - Redwood City, California
Steven and Linda Bell - Mt. Berry, Georgia
Paul Bennett - Asheville, North Carolina
Tony Bing - Black Mountain, North Carolina
Eric Bjorgan - Woodbury, Minnesota
Eugenia Brown - Madison, Wisconsin
Ilise Cohen and Dan Rice - San Francisco, California
Beth Keiser - Black Mountain, North Carolina
Cecilia Lucas - Oakland, California
Richard Moss - Watsonville, California
Edward and Eunice Ordman - Memphis, Tennessee
Nancy Parlin - New Richmond, Wisconsin
Susan Ravitz - Easton, Pennsylvania
John Robinson - Fort Collins, Colorado
Zarinah Shakir - Washington, DC
Lois Swartz - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sabina Swift - Honolulu, Hawaii
Bruce Welz - St. Peters, Missouri

Select a report to view: Announcement | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9