VOICES OF CONSCIENCE:
DELEGATION to THE GAZA STRIP

Interfaith Peace-Builders Delegation Arrives in the Gaza Strip

November 5, 2012 - Interfaith Peace-Builders (IFPB) is pleased to announce that our 21 member delegation to the Gaza Strip passed safely through the Rafah Crossing Monday morning and is now safely in the Gaza Strip.

Interfaith Peace-Builders has sent more than 44 delegations to Palestine/Israel since 2001. This is the first IFPB delegation to enter the Gaza Strip since 2003. Like other IFPB delegations, its purpose is to educate North Americans about the region and deepen their understanding of its conflicts.

On the eve of the Presidential Election in the United States, the US-brokered peace process continues to show few results and US military aid to the region continues to flow unabated.

This delegation focuses on the realities of Palestinian life in the Gaza Strip. Participants have the unique opportunity to hear directly from Palestinians throughout the territory regarding their hopes for peace and the role of the United States, the US government, and other international actors, in promoting a resolution to the conflict.

The Interfaith Peace-Builders delegation to the Gaza Strip is led by Michael Brown and Cindy Corrie. Michael Brown worked off and on in the Gaza Strip between 1993 and 2000 for the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. A former IFPB board member, Michael continues to work today on the media and Palestine. Michael led an IFPB delegation in 2008. Cindy Corrie is the mother of human rights activist and observer Rachel Corrie who on March 16, 2003, was killed by an Israeli military Caterpillar bulldozer in the Gaza Strip.  Motivated by her daughter's work and sacrifice, Cindy Corrie has dedicated herself to the pursuit of justice and peace in the Middle East and has visited Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza on numerous occasions. She is also president of the board of the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice, inspired by her daughter. 

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a photo of the delegation in Gaza City

 

The delegation includes the following people:

Diane Adkin - Camas, Washington
Michele Bahl - Madison, Wisconsin
Carol Barr - Madison, Wisconsin
Michael Brown - Asheville, North Carolina
Marsha Carlton - Davis, California
Craig and Cindy Corrie - Olympia, Washington
Gary Doupe - Bainbridge, New York
Rich Forer - Yardley, Pennsylvania
Joyce Guinn - Germantown, Wisconsin
Maya Harris - Olympia, Washington
Wendy Hartley - Nevada City, California
Darlene Jones-Owens - Carrollton, Georgia
Declan Keogh - Decatur, Georgia
Ralph and Emily McCoy - Boone, North Carolina
Donna Nassor - Moonachie, New Jersey
Karen Peterson - Horseheads, New York
Cathy Sultan - Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Colleen Toomey - North Andover, Massachusetts
Sonja Wentz - Olympia, Washington


In addition to the reports linked from this page, IFPB delegation participants may be blogging and tweeting about their experiences. Like the trip reports posted here, individual blogs and tweets reflect the views of delegation participants only, and not necessarily Interfaith Peace-Builders or partners.

Blogs by delegation members:
• Maya Harris may be blogging here
• Cindy Corrie may be blogging here


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.

Media interested in interviewing the participants when they return, and groups wanting information about speaking engagements, should contact Interfaith Peace-Builders at media@ifpb.org or 415.240.4607.


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