ABOUT US

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick
Archbishop Emeritus of Washington

On our interfaith trip to Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, we heard two messages repeatedly from Palestinians and Israelis: first, that time is running out for a viable two-state solution; and second, that people on both sides know the difficult compromises that will be necessary for peace and most people are prepared to accept them.

Rabbi David Saperstein
Director & Counsel
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

If the Obama Administration actively and fairly presses
for Israeli-Palestinian peace, they can count on
majority support in synagogues, churches and mosques across the country.

Dr. Sayyid Mohammed Syeed
National Director
Islamic Society of North America

Of course, it is the parties themselves that must make the negotiated agreements for peace, but people we met on our trip to the region believe that active, fully engaged U.S. leadership is essential to making that happen. We are united in support of such U.S. leadership for peace.

Rabbi Amy Small
Past President
Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Despite tragic violence and discouraging developments, there are signs of hope. Majorities of both Israelis and Palestinians still support a two-state solution. Arab states have declared their commitment to peace in the Arab Peace Initiative. Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious leaders both here and in the region reject the killing of innocents, support a just peace, and believe sustained negotiations are the only path to peace.

Bishop Mark Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

As it continues to pursue a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the United States, in cooperation with the international community, should encourage efforts to provide relief and reconstruction assistance in Gaza in ways that address the security needs of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Dr. Leighton Ford
President
Leighton Ford Ministries

The peace and well-being of Jerusalem, and all its peoples is, as we know from Scripture, very much on God's heart. For me this initiative provides an important opportunity to seek God's rule, and a valuable way to cooperate with others of good will, without compromising our own distinctive beliefs.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon
General Secretary
National Council of Churches, USA

As a matter of principle, NILI will not prescribe precise steps to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But NILI does support a two-state solution, NILI leaders are prepared to support Israeli-Palestinian ideas for resolving issues, and NILI members are united in their conviction that reconciliation in this situation will come about only when the security and justice requirements of both Israelis and Palestinians are met.

Rabbi Peter Knobel
Immediate Past President
Central Conference of American Rabbis

There are Israeli-Palestinian ideas for resolving even the most emotional issues. For example, the issue of refugees could be resolved by a negotiated solution that does not jeopardize the Jewish majority in Israel. And there could be a negotiated solution for sharing Jerusalem that includes provision for both Israel and Palestine to have their capitals in the city and guarantees access to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites.

Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf
Founder/Director
American Society for Advancement of Muslims
and President, Cordoba Initiative

The real battlefront today is not between Muslims and America, but between the moderates of all faith traditions against the extremists of all faith traditions. What we need to do is build a global coalition of moderates that can effectively combat extremism.

The Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ)

At a time when the world longs for peace in the Middle East, the U.S. interfaith partners of NILI work together to be an influence for peace. Working together is itself a witness for the future we believe is at hand in the land called Holy.

Rabbi Elliott Dorff, Ph.D.
Rector
American Jewish University

More than sixty years of warfare and terrorism have proven beyond a doubt that the Israelis and Palestinians cannot conclude a peace agreement on their own, that they desperately need the United States to take an active role in making peace happen in the Middle East. Americans of all faiths should urge our government to do that.

David Neff
Editor in Chief & Vice President
ChristianityToday Media Group

If the President is able to seize this moment and provide American leadership that actually results in a stable and peaceful resolution between Israel and Palestine, I think almost all of America’s evangelicals will praise him.