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DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Peacebuilding is not an easy task or a short-term endeavor. It is a generational commitment. Writing about it is a challenge as the inspiration often comes not only from personal conviction and engagement, but also the exemplary work of the peacebuilders themselves. The idea behind Peacebuilding in Israeli-Palestinian Relations began developing some three decades ago as I watched Israeli Jewish and Palestinian peacebuilders cross borders to actualize peace.

My sojourns at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute atop a southern Jerusalem hill near Bethlehem opened new vistas on dialogue and understanding. My visits to the Peace Research Institute in the Middle East (PRIME), Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information (IPCRI), now known as the Israel-Palestine: Creative Regional Initiatives, and Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam-Oasis of Peace, among others, reaffirmed my belief in the peacebuilders’ vision, dedication, and energy. My follow-up peaceful coexistence work in the United States brought me in contact with many supporters of Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding, including Len and Libby Traubman of the Jewish-Palestinian Living Room Dialogue in San Mateo, California. It is to all peacebuilders in Israel and Palestine and their supporters around the world that I dedicate this book.

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Heartfelt thanks are extended to Dr. Sami Adwan of PRIME, Dr. Gershon Baskin of IPCRI, Robi Damelin of the Parents Circle-Families Forum, Elana Rozenman of Trust-Emun, and Dr. Yehuda Stolov of the Interfaith Encounter Association for their insight and help. Deep gratitude is also extended to Dr. Yael S. Aronoff of James Madison College at Michigan State University for her friendship and endorsement of the book idea from the start; Dr. Joseph C. Santora, the founding and current Editor of the International Leadership Journal, for his interest in my peace research and writings; Dr. Kevin L. Dooley of Monmouth University for his generosity of spirit and valuable suggestions for improving the manuscript; Michelle Smith and Jackie Pavlovic of Peter Lang Publishing for their advice and guidance; and Sarah O’Connor of Monmouth University for her excellent editing skills and general support. Dominique N. Connell, Michael Manning, MacKenzie R. Ricca, and Sunni Vargas—my students at Monmouth University—provided important research or technical assistance for which I am grateful. Last but not least, my profound appreciation goes to my wife Hiyam and my daughters NoorEvelyn and Hania for their love and faith in peace for all.

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