The Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA) works to promote genuine coexistence and sustainable peace in the Middle East through joint community building, interactive interfaith dialogue, and cross-cultural study. IEA forms and maintains on-going interfaith encounter groups or centers throughout Israel that bring neighboring communities together, have meetings, celebrations, and conferences, and look to induce change in the larger society. Other programs include The Middle East Abrahamic Forum (an annual conference of people from all three Abrahamic religions who aim to build peace though the help of cross-cultural understanding and mutual respect), cross-cultural visits to various sacred locations and archeological sites that help educate the public, and more. The IEA also maintains working relations with a number of organizations throughout the Middle East.