Voices of the Peace-Builders:
From Roots to Reconciliation

Co-Sponsored with the National Peace Foundation

This delegation, co-sponsored by the National Peace Foundation, will explore Palestinian and Israeli efforts to achieve peace and a resolution to their conflict based on justice.  May marks the annual recognition of Israel’s independence and the Palestinian Nakba (Catastrophe) and the birth of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  A special emphasis will include meetings and tours addressing this history. The delegation will also feature meetings with Palestinian and Israeli peacemakers – leaders of civil society groups, grassroots organizers, religious leaders and more. 

Your participation as an eyewitness to the situation will enrich your understanding of the conflict and empower your work back in the United States.

As with all delegations, you will meet with ‘ordinary’ Israelis and Palestinians, and people and organizations working for peace and justice.  Delegates will confront and analyze the US role in the conflict and wrestle with ways to translate your experience to others when you return home.  

This is our second co-sponsored delegation with the National Peace Foundation. To read about the first co-sponsored delegation in March 2008, click here.

To express interest in this delegation and get updates and more information as it becomes available, send us an email so we'll be sure to add you to the May 2009 delegation mailing list.

Send an email to office@ifpbdel.org.

To learn more about the standard components of all delegations, click here.

To read what delegates who've traveled with us have to say about their experiences, click here.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until late March 2009. Apply early to reserve and lock in lower airfares.

The cost of the delegation is $2000. This includes 13 days of the delegation, hotel and home stay accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, local transportation, guides, speaker/event fees, basic tips and gratuities. Partial scholarships may be available for those with demonstrable need. 

The cost does not include domestic and international airfare. Interfaith Peace-Builders works with a local travel agent in Jerusalem to secure the best group rates for the delegation to travel together on the same flight from Washington, DC to Israel/Palestine. Therefore, delegates do not need to book their own international airfare.

Delegates will be expected make arrangements to be in Washington DC by 2pm on May 23, 2009 for the beginning of orientation.

General Information about All Delegations

Your participation as an eyewitness to the situation in Israel/Palestine will enrich your understanding of the conflict and empower your work back in the United States.

This delegation provides an excellent opportunity to meet with ‘ordinary’ Israelis and Palestinians, and people and organizations working for peace and justice. As a delegate you will confront and analyze the US role in the conflict and wrestle with ways to translate your experience to others when you return home. You will be an eyewitness to the situation—and your understanding of the conflict will be enriched and transformed.

On the delegation. . .

No other delegation program matches our attention to detail. Each trip features unique meetings with those at the forefront of Palestinian and Israeli peacebuilding. You will also:

• Attend one-day pre-departure orientation in Washington DC.
• Travel in the West Bank & Israel.
• Travel with experienced delegation leaders & professional local guides.
• See how the continuing Israeli occupation of Palestinian land & the current cycle of violence affect Palestinians & Israelis.
• Learn from Palestinians about their nonviolent resistance to the occupation.
• Learn from Israeli peace activists about their work for a just end to the occupation.
• Visit selected religious and cultural sites.
• See how the Separation Wall impacts Palestinian communities & livelihoods.
• Visit and/or stay in Palestinian & Israeli homes (1-3 nights).
• Dialogue with Israelis & Palestinians who have a variety of cultural, religious, & political perspectives.
• Examine the US role in the conflict.

After your return. . .

IFPB's unique follow-up program is an innovative addition to standard delegation programming. Our expert staff provides:

• One-on-one engagement on media outreach efforts in your local community
• Professional support for your speaking events, media work and other efforts within your community
• Action alerts and additional means for continued activism
• Educational resources on the conflict
• Sustained contact with delegation alums

Since 2001, Interfaith Peace-Builders has led 29 delegations and taken over 400 people to Israel/Palestine.  Our delegates have returned to North America and engaged local, regional, and national communities by speaking, writing, and organizing to educate others about their experiences

We ask delegates to make the following commitments:
• Commitment to educating people in your local community about the occupation and your experience.
• Commitment to nonviolence on the trip.
• An open mind and active, compassionate listening.

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The cost of the delegation is $2000. This includes 13 days of the delegation, hotel and home stay accommodations, breakfasts and dinners, local transportation, guides, speaker/event fees, basic tips and gratuities. Partial scholarships may be available for those with demonstrable need. 

The cost does not include domestic and international airfare. Interfaith Peace-Builders works with a local travel agent in Jerusalem to secure the best group rates for the delegation to travel together on the same flight from Washington, DC to Israel/Palestine. Therefore, delegates do not need to book their own international airfare.

Delegates will be expected make arrangements to be in Washington DC by the afternoon of first day of the delegation.

HELP A LOW-INCOME PARTICIPANT:
Interfaith Peace-Builders would like to provide financial support for people who cannot afford the full cost of the delegation.  Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the costs of a low-income delegate at:

www.ifpbdel.org/donation
(mark “scholarship fund” in the comment box).

Application as Word file

Applicaiton as PDF file