In November 2002, as part of a goodwill campaign to build people-to-people communication between Israelis and Palestinians, Rabbis for Human Rights delivered Israeli interfaith aid to Jenin refugee camp and other Palestinian communities in the West Bank in coordination with Islamic Relief, Caritas and the Church of the Latin Patriarch.

This humanitarian outreach from Jewish, Muslim and Christian Israelis was appreciated by community leaders and Palestinian families in Jenin camp. Akram Abu Sabaa, a Jenin camp spokesperson, told American activist Rains Rouner: “We appreciate aid from interfaith sources because it represents the cooperation and mutual respect that we believe in — the vision of peace in this land where, insha’Allah, Muslims, Christians and Jews will live together in equality, brotherhood and trust.”

Voicing hope for greater communication and cooperation, Akram suggested that an American interfaith campaign to assist Palestinians and support equal rights in Palestine/Israel undertaken by American Muslims, Jews and Christians could create a bond between Palestinians and Americans. “Interfaith aid and support for equal rights can help to build a bridge between our peoples and our faiths,” Akram said.

Noting that peace and equality are interdependent, Akram added: “We want our freedom and a relationship of peace and equality with Israeli Jews, and with Americans, too.”