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The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it

Occupation magazine - Activism Home page  back Print  Send To friend Interfaith Peace-Builders delegation arrives in Palestine/Israel Email from Interfaith Peace-Builders office@ifpb.org: INTERFAITH PEACE-BUILDERS DELEGATION ARRIVES IN PALESTINE/ISRAEL An Honest Broker? The US Role in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Co-Sponsored by Central Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and Joining Hands for Justice in Israel and Palestine May 27, 2013 - Interfaith Peace-Builders (IFPB), in partnership with Central Presbyterian Church of Atlanta and Joining Hands for Justice in Israel and Palestine, is pleased to announce that our 33 member delegation to Israel/Palestine arrived at Ben-Gurion airport Monday morning and is now safely in Jerusalem. The purpose of this delegation, the 46th organized by Interfaith Peace-Builders since 2001, is to educate North Americans about the region and deepen their understanding of its conflicts. The delegation arrives days after US Secretary of State John Kerry visited the region, ostensibly to promote a return to formal peace talks between the Israeli government and representatives of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Kerry has said that the next 18 to 24 months are crucial for a breakthrough in peace talks. Throughout President Obama’s administration, the US-brokered peace process has shown few results and US military aid to the region continues to flow unabated. The President’s 2014 budget request currently in front of Congress includes $3.1 billion in military aid to Israel and an additional $316 million for joint US- Israeli anti-missile systems. Additional reports indicate that the administration is opening negotiations to give Israel up to $40 billion in US taxpayer-financed weapons through 2028. Participants on this delegation have the unique opportunity to hear directly from Palestinians and Israelis regarding the effects of Secretary Kerry’s visit and the role of the United States in the pursuit of a just peace. The delegation includes the following people: Shelly Altman and Susan Bramhall - New Haven, Connecticut Bobbie Wrenn Banks and David Root - Decatur, Georgia Krista Brewer and David Flack - Atlanta, Georgia Ev Brookbank - Greenacres, Washington Nuala Cabral - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jennifer Calvert - Spokane Valley, Washington Mary Caponi - Des Moines, Iowa Ilise Cohen and Dan Rice - Decatur, Georgia Delegation Announcement Report 1: Coming soon. . . TRAVEL TO ISRAEL/PALESTINE WITH INTERFAITH PEACE-BUILDERS! Your participation as an eyewitness will enrich your understanding of the conflict and empower your work in North America! Click here for information on upcoming delegations Noura Erakat - Fairfax, Virginia Jonathan Flack - Atlanta, Georgia Nicole Hale - Peoria, Arizona Larry Hendel - Berkeley, California Sarah Humphrey - Tucker, Georgia Ann and Rodney Hunter - Decatur, Georgia Nabill Idrisi - Sunnyside, New York Susan Landrum - Atlanta, Georgia Tori Lang - Newnan, Georgia Leslie Leonard - Atlanta, Georgia Clarissa O`Conor - Lititz, Pennsylvania Mark Pirazzini - Eau Claire, Wisconsin Alison and David Rice - Fresh Meadows, New York Josh Ruebner - Arlington, Virginia Stephanie Simpson - Washington, DC Kate Taber - Atlanta, Georgia Ralph Watkins - Atlanta, Georgia Taylor Weech - Spokane, Washington A photo of the delegates at orientation in Washington, DC 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. ak Links to the latest articles in this section Israelis & Palestinians Negotiate Solutions to the Gaza Crisis A war to keep Netanyahu on his throne Back Home in U.S., Israel’s Lone Soldiers Break Their Silence About the Occupation