Objective: 1.Foster communication between Israelis and Palestinians
2.Promote Jewish, Christian and Muslim inter-religious engagement
3.Promote resolution of conflicts with a religious dimension
4.Implement the Alexandria Declaration to reduce violence
5.Provide a forum for discussion of the future of Jerusalem and the Holy Sites
6.Provide non-sectarian aid and relief to those most in need
7.Develop educational encounter programs
8.Support the Adam Centers, Mosaica and the FRME
9.Conduct meetings of the Alexandria Committee including all key religious leaders in Israel, Palestine and Egypt
10.Develop Western-based programs and forums to reduce support for terrorism

Commitment: Raise $1.4 million to fund the IPIP’s annual budget of operations for 2006

Background: The FRME is the main body responsible for the implementation of the Alexandria Process and the religious track of the Middle East peace process. It has centers in Israel and Gaza as well as strong ties in the West Bank. It is the only organization for peace that enjoys recognized legitimacy throughout both Israel and Palestine. It serves to approach religion and conflict in a pragmatic and fully engaged capacity often neglected by the peace process. It is involved in other aspects of conflict resolution including economics, education, and social and medical rehabilitation. A considerable amount of its work focuses on crisis management, e.g. negotiating an end to the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the resolution of armed conflict in Shaf Ama. The FRME follows a systematic program of encounter and education, and, through the IPIP, is responsible for funding these programs and providing the FRME staff on the ground.

Partnership Opportunity: To date, the Israeli-Palestinian Institute of Peace (IPIP) has raised $87,000 for its operations. Additional funding is sought to meet the $1.4 million annual budget needed for 2006.

Update:
December 2005:
Despite a difficult situation in the Gaza strip, The Israeli Palestinian Institute of Peace (IPIP) was firmly established by the collaborative efforts of the three centers in Jerusalem, Kfar Kassem and Gaza. The centers’ work will focus on taking forward the religious track of the peace process both at a governmental and grassroots level.