WASHINGTON DC – The Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP) announced today that its President Matthew Duss would step down in February in order to join U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ staff as foreign policy advisor.

Since joining FMEP in August 2014, Duss has energetically advanced the Foundation’s mission to pursue opportunities for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, strengthening the Foundation’s relationships with activists, journalists and elected officials in the United States, Palestine, and Israel; contributing meaningful commentary and analysis to the public dialogue; and helping coordinate work among pro-peace groups in Washington and beyond.

“It has been an enormous privilege to lead the Foundation and work with its esteemed Board of Directors and skilled staff over these past two and a half years,” Duss said. “I’m sad to leave, but excited for the opportunity to work with Senator Sanders on foreign affairs and national security issues.”

FMEP Board Chairman Ambassador (ret.) Nicholas Veliotes praised Duss  for his inspired leadership and deep commitment to a just and permanent peace between Israel and Palestine.

The Foundation for Middle East Peace was created in 1979 by Merle Thorpe, Jr., a Washington-based lawyer and philanthropist, to promote a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Foundation advances this goal through education and advocacy, publications about the conflict, a speakers’ program to introduce Israeli, Palestinian, and other experts to U.S. audiences, public speaking by officers of the Foundation, and a small grant program to support groups that advance the cause of peace in Israel and Palestine.