MAY 2015 DELEGATION

Co-Sponsored with the University of Georgia's Catholic Center
and the Central Presbyterian Church of Atlanta



May 18, 2015 - Interfaith Peace-Builders (IFPB),  in partnership with Central Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and the University of Georgia Catholic Center, is pleased to announce that our 27-member delegation to Palestine /Israel arrived at Ben-Gurion airport Monday and is now safely in Jerusalem.

The purpose of this delegation - the 53rd to make the trip since 2001 - is to educate North Americans about the region and deepen their understanding of its conflicts. Trip Reflections, photos, and videos from the delegation will be posted on IFPB's website, facebook page, and twitter stream.

This delegation focuses on Palestinian and Israeli efforts to achieve peace, justice, and an end to military occupation.  The trip also explores the role of the United States.  The US government is the most dominant international player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  This delegation will examine the historic and current role of US government and civil society intervention in the region.

Recent elections have ushered in a right wing governing coalition in Israel and raised further questions about the viability of the long stagnant US-brokered peace process.  Meanwhile, US military aid to the region flows unabated.  The Obama Administration continues to funnel at least $3 billion in military aid to Israel every year.

Participants on this Interfaith Peace-Builders delegation have the unique opportunity to hear directly from Palestinians and Israelis regarding their hopes for peace and the role of the United States, the US government, and other international actors, in promoting a resolution to the conflict.

 

Photos from the May 2015 Delegation:

 

The delegation includes the following people:

Danny Beagle - Oakland, California
Iley Behr - Nashville, Tennessee
Miranda Brownlee - Atlanta, Georgia
Bede Campbell - Atlanta, Georgia
Jennell and Gary Charles - Atlanta, Georgia
Ilise Cohen - Decatur, Georgia
Rosemary Cohen - Haverford, Pennsylvania
Vicki Collier - Sandy Springs, Georgia
Mara Dodge - Holyoke, Massachusetts
Chris Ellingwood - Cumming, Georgia
David Evans - Atlanta, Georgia
Carly Evans - Athens, Georgia
Dan Fishback - Brooklyn, New York
Patricia Hemm - Salem, Oregon
Leah Horton - Duxbury, Massachusetts
Ann Hunter - Decatur, Georgia
Marcia Hunter - Decatur, Georgia
Kathleen Kennedy - Kansas City, Missouri
Tori Lang - Newnan, Georgia
Lorraine LeBlanc - New Orleans, Louisiana
Michael Lloyd - Atlanta, Georgia
Julie Norman - Montreal, Quebec
Eliza Poor - Arlington, Massachusetts
Betsy Smalley - Atlanta, Georgia
Regina Willis - Decatur, Georgia
Abraham Zablocki - Decatur, Georgia

The list of delegates above includes  those who were granted entry and are with the delegation currently. One member of the delegation is still enroute to Jerusalem.  Another member traveling solo was denied entry at the Allenby Bridge border crossing between Israel and Jordan.


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 media[a]ifpb.org or 415.240.4607.

 

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