Interfaith Peace-Builders
Our goals
Interfaith Peace-Builders fosters a network of informed and active individuals who understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the United States’ political, military, and economic role in it. To build and nurture such a network, we lead delegations of people from diverse backgrounds to Israel/Palestine. These delegations emphasize listening to and learning from those immersed in the reality of the conflict, and advancing the work of Israelis and Palestinians committed to nonviolent struggle and peace with justice. We seek to empower delegates to educate their local communities and the media, counter unfair or inaccurate stereotypes, and advocate for a more just US foreign policy that:
- actively promotes civil, political and human rights
- affirms political self-determination for Palestinians and Israelis
- fosters economic and environmental sustainability in the region
- supports a diplomatic resolution to the conflict rather than one imposed by force of arms.
Interfaith Peace-Builders describes our work as “delegation based education and advocacy.” This phrase embodies our commitment to be more than just a delegation program. In fact, participants on IFPB delegations know that their on-the-ground experience is only the beginning. They recognize the need to counter the myths that both distance and perpetuate the conflict. This is not an age-old religious strife, but a remnant of 19th century nationalism and colonial policies. The dispute is political in nature, complicated by religious divisions, spawned by colonialism and nurtured by nationalism. Not only can it be resolved, but we have an obligation to work toward that end. There will be no peace in the world without peace in the Middle East, and there can be no peace in the Middle East without a comprehensive resolution to this festering conflict.
The conflict is not just “over there.” It influences United States’ foreign and domestic policy, the federal budget and budget priorities, and affects many communities in the US with ties to the Middle East. The US government gives Israel billions of dollars annually, defines its relationship with Israel as ‘special’ and, at the same time, envisions itself an active peace-broker in the region. As a result, US citizens have a responsibility to understand the conflict and to push our government to implement a more acceptable and just policy.
IFPB was originally founded as a program of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. IFPB spun off from FOR in 2006, and the two organizations maintain a close working partnership today.
