In ancient Greek, the word “telos” describes a unique purpose or goal that is rooted in a fundamental principle, towards which all intentions and energies are singularly focused. Their telos is the freedom, security, and dignity of every human being in the Holy Land.

While massive conflicts ravage the broader Middle East, they believe that resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains an essentially moral and security imperative for the world.

They believe that a viable two-state solution remains the solution to the conflict. Yet they also believe that any policy or outcome—whether one-state, two-states, multiple-states, or some other solution—must be measured by how well it maximizes security, dignity, and freedom for both Israelis and Palestinians in equal measure. And they welcome anyone into their fold who shares their values, including their commitment to support non-violent means to end the conflict, regardless of politics.

Ultimately, Palestinians and Israelis bear responsibility for waging and sustaining peace. Yet resolution of this conflict is an urgent American interest. And peace will remain elusive without strong, bipartisan encouragement and assistance from Americans.

Unfortunately, while Americans – and especially Americans of faith – are among the most influential stakeholders in the region, most have never met either an Israeli or a Palestinian or seriously encountered both Palestinian and Israeli perspectives. On the contrary, important segments of American society, and often its Christian faith communities, persistently advocate for one-sided postures towards the conflict. Such advocacy educates the next generation in near-complete isolation from the peoples and present realities of the region.

Telos reverses that reality by taking influential Americans from across the political and theological spectra on high-touch, multi-narrative pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and by bringing Israeli and Palestinian leaders and activists to the United States on speaking tours. As Americans come to care deeply about people on both sides of the Green Line, they inspire and equip them to build transformative pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinian, pro-peace movements in their own communities, aimed at radically improving the way the United States relates to that part of the world.

Mission

They form communities of American peacemakers across lines of difference and equip them to help reconcile seemingly intractable conflicts at home and abroad.

Vision

Grounded in a vision of mutual flourishing, they envision a world in which leaders and their communities claim the requisite drive, expertise, and relationships to effectively and relentlessly wage peace.

In the Holy Land, they envisage a time beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, when diverse communities of American peacemakers will stand with both Palestinians and Israelis to sustain security, dignity, and freedom for all.

They imagine, too, that their unique model of conflict transformation will be replicated elsewhere—helping bring stability, healing, and reconciliation to communities around the world, including here in America.