The second morning session on the 22 of October, 2006, took place at the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem. It was in a format of a TV show with several prominent speakers on board. Dr. Antonio Betancourt - the director of the Office of Government Relations, UFP - was the moderator and posed several questions to the panel that were raised by the audience. The four panelists were:

Yoni Ben Menachem - Israel Broadcasting Authority Director-General & Chief Editor. Yoni has been a political correspondent and is an expert in the issues related to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Mafra' Mahmoud - an Israeli Arab and Deputy Mayor of Bostan El-Marj Regional Council who is also the former chairman of the Jewish-Arab institute at Beit Berl College.

Michael Barnea - Former chief economist at the ministry of trade and commerce. A thinker and a writer on social justice issues.

Musi (Moshe) Raz – Former MK (Knesset member) from Meretz party, Director of an Arab Israeli peace radio station.

The questions that were raised dealt with the ability of the U.S. and the EU to be an honest broker in the peace process, the prospects of a peace treaty between Israel, Lebanon and Syria, the possibility of Hamas turning into a political entity only, and more.

The panelists were all concerned with the dangers facing the peace process as a result of Iran’s radical influence over Syria and Hamas. Some expressed their fears for an imminent second round of clashes in the north. However, there was an overall consensus among them that sooner or later both sides will have to go back to the negotiation table. The solutions have been on the drawing board for quite a while, the question is only how heavy will be the price paid by both sides until they agree to adopt and implement them.

The deputy speaker of the Knesset Hon. Izhak Ziv hosted our MEPI delegation in the new auditorium in the Knesset. Hon. Ziv shred with us his appreciation towards UPF’s work for peace and proudly presented to us his Ambassador for Peace award that is placed in a prominent place in his office.

We were also fortunate to have another senior Knesset member and former minister of trade and commerce, Hon. Ran Cohen, join on stage. The two Knesset members responded to several questions posed from the audience regarding current affairs such as the state of the kidnapped soldiers and the urgency to defuse the explosive situation in the north. Hon. Cohen, who is a member of the Security and Defense Committee, pledged before us that he will do all that he can to push the government towards conducting peace negotiations with Syria. Also on the panel were several dignitaries from the delegation led by Dr. Betancourt - the director of the Office of Government Relations – UFP. Among them were: Hon. Marjorie Buessing, former member New Hampshire State Legislature;Former U.S. Congressman Howard Nielson, former member of U.S. House of Representatives, Senator Hillman Frazier, Mississippi Senate; Hon. Norma Champagne, former member, New Hampshire State Legislature; and Prof. Eliezer Glaubach – president of PWPA, Israel. Hon. Marjorie Buessing gave a heartwarming call for a leadership that is first and foremost parental in its nature. Prof. Eliezer Glaubach stressed the importance of the UPF in creating the spiritual change needed for the decision makers to choose the right path. The panel was moderated by Mr. Hod Ben Zvi – secretary general UPF, Israel.

The session began with a short orientation by Mr. Hod Ben Zvi – secretary general UPF, Israel. There were five circles created on the following topics: women leadership, media and peace, the role of NGO’s in peace making, religion and peace and family education towards peace. The delegates were joined by some 17 Israeli peace ambassadors and immediately engaged in a lively 40 minute discussion. When time was up, some fine reports from each circle were given, summarizing the key points in discussion.

The bond of hearts was intensified as all joined a lovely dinner which reached its climax with a colorful evening entertainment. Gospel songs and Yemenite music, Russian and South American singing, Arabic and Hebrew all merged into a beautiful tapestry of Joy.

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