Interfaith Peace-Builders Delegation

Arrives in Israel & Palestine

July 17, 2006

Interfaith Peace-Builders is pleased to report that its seventeen person
Interfaith Peace-Builders delegation entered Israel at the Ben-Gurion
airport Monday morning. We have spoken with the delegation leaders and
they reported that the trip is going smoothly and safely. They did a
brief driving tour of Jerusalem today and have settled in at their
accommodations, the St. George Cathedral Guest House for the evening.

Seventeen US citizens from diverse religious backgrounds departed on
Sunday, July 16 for two weeks in Israel/Palestine as part of Interfaith
Peace-Builders 19th delegation. The delegation is led by Maia Carter
Hallward and Don Christensen.

The purpose of this delegation is to educate North American citizens
about the region and deepen their understanding of its conflicts. The
delegates are scheduled to meet with an array of Palestinians and
Israelis who will share 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.

Individual meetings are planned with Jeff Halper, recently nominated for
a Noble Peace Prize; Elias Chakour, author of Blood Brothers; and Rami
Elhanan, an Israeli whose daughter was killed by a suicide bomber and
who currently works for peace and justice with the Parents' Circle.
Other meetings are scheduled with Israeli and Palestinian college
students, inhabitants of the Palestinian refugee camp Dheisheh, Israelis
who refuse to serve in the military and Palestinian farmers.

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.


The delegation includes the following people:

* Mark Braverman, Bethesda, MD
* Maia Carter Hallward, Washington DC
* Rachel and Don Christensen, St. Paul, MN
* Yolande Ford, Silver Spring, MD
* Dianne Ford Jones, Shaker Heights, OH
* Malinda Gilbert, Boston, MA
* Dan Goldstein, Creve Coeur, MO
* Cecilia Laverty, Spokane, WA
* Larry Levine and Meg Squier, Hinton, WV
* Dave Matos, Aiken, SC
* Argelis Ortiz, Los Angeles, CA
* Nicole Pelletier, Jamaica Plain, MA
* Julianne Pirtle, Iowa City, IA
* Lee Porter, Washington, DC
* John Van Wagoner, McClean, VA

Upon their return to the United States in the early August, 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 FOR Interfaith Peace-Builders (see
below for contact information).