Religiously-motivated violence has been a significant deterrent to the progress of the Middle East peace process, and yet little to no attention has been paid to the Israeli and Palestinian religious communities, and few attempts have been made to utilize religion as a tool for peace and reconciliation. 

The mission of the Interreligious Coordinating Council in Israel (ICCI) is, therefore, to harness the teachings and values of the three Abrahamic faiths and transform religion's role from a force of division and extremism into a source of reconciliation, coexistence, and understanding.  To accomplish this, ICCI works with youth, women, and religious leaders to promote Jewish-Arab coexistence and peace-building projects.

Working for Reconciliation Among Jews, Muslims and Christians

Founded in January 1991, ICCI is now Israel’s best-known and most-respected inter-religious organization. As an umbrella organization, it comprises 75 Christian, Palestinian/Muslim, and Jewish institutions, including Jewish-Arab coexistence organizations, museums, universities, and other inter-religious organizations.  ICCI also serves as the Israel chapter of Religions for Peace (WCRP) and as a member of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ).

An Innovative and Unique Approach to Peace Building

 ICCI's programs are based on core values that reflect profound humanitarian principles: 

• Moving from Dialogue to Action: the programs combine facilitated dialogue, study, and action projects which demonstrate to the wider community the tangible benefits to be gained from working together towards common goals.
• Addressing the Conflict: all programs promote relationship-building, including frank and open exchanges of perspectives on subjects related to the local and regional conflict.
• Focus on Communities rather than Individuals: participants are carefully recruited based on their potential to impact their respective religious communities.
• Long-Term Programs and Relationships: all major programs are long-term so as to encourage the building of lasting relationships.
• Religion as part of the Solution: by utilizing interreligious textual study as an educational tool, ICCI promotes religion as a means of bringing people closer together.  

Our Vision – Real Change led by Grass Roots Faith Communities

In the short term, we envision the personal transformation and empowerment of a growing cadre of influential Christian, Jewish and Muslim local religious and cultural leaders.  

In the medium term, under their leaders’ guidance, the members of the different faith communities will work together to address issues of common concern, such as poverty relief, the empowerment of women, and environmental protection.   

In the long term, as non-violence and mutual cooperation among local Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities becomes a model for society as a whole, we envisage a transforming of the public discourse which will empower peace-builders in the region to effect lasting change.