In the heat of violence of the second Intifada in 2003, the Middle East Peace Initiative began bringing people of faith to Israel and the Palestinian Territories for interreligious pilgrimages, fact-finding tours, leadership consultations, and grass-roots encounters to build interreligious understanding and respect.

Visiting the historic and holy sites of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, participants gain a first-hand understanding of the history and spirituality of the Abrahamic faiths. Briefings, dialogues, and opportunities to interact with the variety of people in the region give unique insights into current events as well as opportunities to serve as ambassadors of goodwill and build lasting relationships with people of diverse cultures. UPF-Israel invites organizers to consult with them to plan trips. Email Jeremy Jordan, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Learn about the Middle East Peace Initiative

• Pictorial history (32-page .pdf file)
• Introductory presentation (.ppt)

• Promoting interreligious understanding and respect: 2/03, 4/04, 5-11/03, 10/03, 9/04 3/06, 5/06, 10/06, 8/07, 12/07, 12/10, 1/11
• Building grassroots connections: 5/04, 9/04, 4/07, 12/07, 1/08, 2/08, 7/08, 8/08, 9/08, 12/08
• Leadership consultations: 9/04, 3/05, 5/07, 6/07, 10/07, 11/10, 5/11
• Fact-finding trips: 4/07, 12/07, 5/06-12/08
• Service and humanitarian activities: 12/03, 10/04, 12/07, 12/07, 12/08, 7/09, 12/10
• Promoting a culture of peace: 9/04, 6/06, 7/06, 12/07, 8/08, 12/08, 7/09
• Interreligious sports competitions: 11/04-1/05, 12/07
• Proposal for a joint enterprise: 10/10

• World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts
• Abraham, A Journey to the Heart of Three Faiths, by Bruce Feiler

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Recent Articles

Memorable speakers

"A Place for Religion at the Peace Table," by Dr. Frank Kaufmann

"Promoting Interreligious Understanding," by Dr. Shuki Ben-Ami, Theologian and Author, Israel

"Reconciliation Requires Honesty and Integrity," by Baruch Shalev, President, ISSI, Jerusalem, Israel

"A Mother's Heart Can Heal Pain," by Miri Kamar, Women's Federation for World Peace, Israel

"Prospectus for a Peace Academy," by Dr. Eliezer Glaubach-Gal, Chairman, Professors World Peace Academy, Israel

"A Call for Non-Violence," by Dr. Muli Peleg, Co-Chair, One Voice Israel Palestine

"Bereaved Jews and Arabs Crack the Walls of Hate and Fear," about the Parents Circle/Bereaved Families Forum

"Israeli Arabs as Bridges Between Jews and Palestinians," by Hon. Walid Sadik, Former Member of the Knesset, Israel

"Breaking the Cycle of Anger," by Prof. Khuloud Khayyat Dajani, Executive Assistant to the President of Al-Quds University, Palestine

"Of Faith and Society," by Bernard Sabella, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Bethlehem University, Palestine

"Repentance and Forgiveness," by George Augustus Stallings, Jr., Co-President, American Clergy Leadership Conference, USA

"Removing the Curse of the Cross," by Dr. Andrew Wilson, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Unification Theological Seminary, Barrytown, USA

"Vision of the 'Other' in the Qur'an," by Imam Abdul Jalil Sajid, Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony