Middle East Peace Programs
The Middle East Peace Initiative has been promoting peace since 2003 through dialogue, people-to-people diplomacy, fact-finding trips, interfaith pilgrimages and conferences. It brings religious leaders, parliamentarians, academicians, women leaders, youth and civil society representatives together in Israel, Palestinian Territories and Jordan. Forums explore Track II approaches to the crisis in Syria. Read UPF's Statement about Middle East Peace.
UPF's Jerusalem Office for Interfaith and Cooperation among Religions and Office for Peace and Security Affairs convene forums of academics, political and religious leaders, and peace advocates. UPF-Israel organizes culture of peace tours and leadership seminars for international youth. For information email
- Written by: Christopher Davies, UPF - Netherlands
Bergen aan Zee, Netherlands - During a European Leadership Conference in Glory House, North Holland, April 9 to 11, four UPF-Netherlands Ambassadors for Peace considered the prospects for peace in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
- Written by: UPF International
Ceremonies for reconciliation often occur during UPF's interreligious and intercultural peacebuilding initiatives. These include crossing a bridge of peace, mixing waters of peace, and breaking arrows of war.
- Written by: Sardar Muhammad Tahir Tabassum, Institute of Peace and Development, Belgium
The relationship between the US and the Muslim world had been marked by ongoing mistrust, discord, and suspicion for several decades. This was due to the fact that after the tragic event of 9 / 11, the “War on Terror” targeted the Muslim countries of Afghanistan and Iraq, causing discord between the Muslims and the United States.
- Written by: UPF Middle East Peace Initiative
Statement by UPF on Dec. 31, 2008, in response to the loss of life in the crisis in the Gaza strip, calling for an end to the cycle of violence in Israel and the Gaza strip.
- Written by: Omar Halasa, Director, Young Ambassadors for Peace, Latin America and the Middle East
- Written by: Kristi Graham-Mas, Youth Federation for World Peace
The morning of Dec. 18, 2008 began with a tour of Old Jerusalem by participants in the International Young Leaders program of the Middle East Peace Initiative.
- Written by: Kristi Graham-Mas, Youth Federation for World Peace
Report on follow-up meetings with young Israelis and Palestinians who spent ten days together in Italy and San Marino during the summer of 2008 in a trip organized by UPF-Israel and UPF-Italy.
- Written by: Hod Ben Zvi and Giorgio Gasperoni
Israeli and Palestinian youth spent ten days in Italy and San Marino in early September seeking to develop new aspects of leadership. The trip offered many unique opportunities for interaction among the Israelis and the Palestinians, as well as Italians interested in cross-cultural understanding.
- Written by: Adrial Trombin and Hod Ben Zvi
From June 22 to July 1, 2008, international participants took part in an International Youth Leadership project in Israel and Palestine, joined at various times by local participants.
- Written by: UPF International
MEPI: Visiting Religious and Historic Sites
- Written by: UPF International
MEPI: Reconciling the Family of Abraham
- Written by: UPF International
MEPI: Connecting with Youth