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US Middle East Leadership & Regional Stability Require Action on
Arab-Israeli Peace
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Statements from Key US and Mideast Leaders on Israeli-Palestinian
Peacemaking
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Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group's Recommendations on Arab-Israeli
Issues
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Jewish, Christian and Muslim Leaders Call for Mideast Peace
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Jerusalem and Bethlehem News: Impact of the Separation Barrier
-
Quick Facts on Palestinian Christians and Catholic-Middle East
News
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Update on West Bank/Gaza Funding and Humanitarian Situation
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1.
US MIDDLE EAST LEADERSHIP & STABILITY REQUIRE ACTION ON ARAB-ISRAELI
PEACE
As 2006 comes to an end, and
with it the 109th Congress, now is a time for evaluation and assessment on
the course of US policy in the Middle East. Debate may continue for some
time on the best way forward in Iraq, but there is a new and growing
realization of the need for US engagement on the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict as a key component of renewed US leadership in the Middle East
and a more peaceful and secure region. The Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group
has asserted that, "the United States cannot achieve its goals in the
Middle East unless it deals directly with the Arab-Israeli conflict and
regional instability" and recommends a "renewed and sustained commitment
by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts."
While it has been called one of the most intractable conflicts of our
time, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is also understood to have a clear
resolution: a two-state solution with a viable and contiguous Palestinian
state living in peace alongside a secure Israel. Countless blueprints
exist that outline the way forward; the problem is not the end-game but
getting there. There are new and positive developments including a fragile
ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza and recent
statements by US and Middle East leaders that show a new urgency and will
to move forward on peacemaking. In a December 7th meeting with Prime
Minister Blair, President Bush said, "the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is
important to be solved. I'm committed to a two state solution. I believe
it is in Israel's interest and the Palestinian people's interest to have
two states living side by side for peace". Now is the time for the
Administration and Congress to coalesce around a common goal of two states
and turn what has up until now remained a vision of peace into a reality
that will benefit Israel, the Palestinians and the United States as well
as the broader Middle East.
2.
STATEMENTS FROM KEY US AND MIDEAST LEADERS ON ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN
PEACEMAKING
Below are statements from
key leaders, including President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice, King Abdullah of Jordan, Palestinian President Abbas, Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz. In varying
ways, the statements focus on the importance of progress on
Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.
• President George W.
Bush
"President Bush Meets with British Prime Minister Tony Blair,"
December 7, 2006
"...the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is important to have -- is important
to be solved. I'm committed to a two state solution. I believe it is in
Israel's interest and the Palestinian people's interest to have two states
living side by side for peace..."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/12/20061207-1.html
"President Bush Participates in Joint Press Availability with Prime
Minister Maliki of Iraq," November 30, 2006
"...Well, first of all, there's no question that if we were able to settle
the Palestinian-Israeli issue, it would help bring more peace to the
Middle East. And therefore, our government is focused on helping develop
the two-state solution. As a matter of fact, I was the -- our government
strongly believes in the two-state solution, and I believe it's in the
Palestinian people's interest that they have their own state. And I
believe it's in Israel's interest that there be a democracy on her border.
And therefore, we're working to that end..."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061130-1.html
"Joint Statement Between the United States and the Republic of
Indonesia," November 20, 2006
"...The two Presidents also discussed the Arab-Israeli conflict, and both
Presidents stressed their support for the establishment of a viable,
independent, democratic and sovereign Palestine state that would live side
by side in peace with Israel..."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061120-3.html
• King Abdullah II of
Jordan
"Palestinian crisis Mideast core issue, King tells Bush," Mahmoud
Al Abed, The Jordan Times, November 30, 2006
"King Abdullah on Wednesday pushed for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict during key talks here with US President George W. Bush,
reiterating that it was the core crisis in the Middle East. The King told
Bush at a Raghadan Palace meeting that a just settlement of the problem
will help moderate challenges to security posed by regional violence,
according to a joint statement. Achieving Palestinian-Israeli peace 'could
be a catalyst for lasting peace' between the Jewish state and Arabs, the
Monarch said, urging the US administration to push for the resumption of
negotiations. The US president arrived yesterday in Jordan on a two-day
visit. 'The world realises now more than ever that the only other
alternative is the continuation of violence,' the statement quoted King
Abdullah as saying. 'The establishment of a viable, independent
Palestinian state on Palestinian soil living alongside a secure Israel is
the only logical and internationally acceptable solution to the conflict.'
He urged international support for the Arab Peace Initiative, which was
approved by Arab countries to end the conflict with Israel. The King and
Bush discussed Jordanian, Egyptian and Saudi efforts to realise a peace
settlement in line with the initiative. Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib
told reporters at the Royal Court that the King urged 'real progress' in
the Middle East peace process at the meeting and called on Israel to ease
the harsh living conditions of the Palestinians. Khatib said Bush 'realises
clearly the dire need for a quality shift' in the process..."
http://www.jordanembassyus.org/11302006001.htm
• Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice
"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Foreign Affairs Minister of
Israel Tzipi Livni," Jerusalem, November 30, 2006
"...The cease-fire now needs to be consolidated by actions to make certain
that it is enforced. I also appreciate the statement of restraint that the
Israeli Government has issued concerning the cease-fire, because it is, of
course, quite fragile, but we would like to see it consolidated and then
extended. It was also a very popular speech by Prime Minister Olmert and,
I think, a hand reaching out to a Palestinian partner. I was just with
President Abbas. He is, indeed, a man who has been committed to a peaceful
resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the establishment of
two states, democratic and independent living side by side in freedom. We
will have discussions, brief though they will be, about how we might
continue to move forward on the vision of those two states living side by
side. And I appreciate very much your having me here."
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/77133.htm
"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas After Their Meeting," Jericho, West Bank, November 30, 2006
"...And one reason that I wanted to come today was to have an opportunity
to talk with you about how we can intensify our efforts to support our
commitment toward progress on a two-state solution. I think that everybody
recognizes that the creation of a viable, independent democratic
Palestinian state that can live side by side in peace with Israel would be
not just a remarkable achievement but a just achievement for the
Palestinian people. And I wanted to come and continue what has been an
ongoing dialogue with you about how we accelerate our efforts. In that
regard I agree completely that the speech of Olmert was a very positive
development, I think an effort to reach out to a Palestinian partner. And
I'm going now to Jerusalem . I will speak with Prime Minister Olmert about
the positive elements in that speech and hopefully we can take this moment
to accelerate our efforts that intensify our efforts toward the two-state
solution that we all desire..."
From Q&A: "...Back to the question of the territories for the
Palestinian state. First of all, the United States has made clear that we
expect it to be a viable and contiguous state when it is created.
Secondly, that no actions that are being taken now should prejudge the
outcome of a final status agreement; that means, very clearly, that if
actions are being taken now, they will not be considered by the United
States to have prejudged the outcome of final status. The third point is
that we have made very clear that Israel has obligations under the roadmap
and that the obligations on settlements are clearly articulated in the
roadmap. And so those principles guide American policy, they guide our
discussions with the Israelis just as obligations under the roadmap guide
our discussions with our Palestinian partners as well..."
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/77149.htm
• Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas
"Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian President Mahmoud
Abbas After Their Meeting," Jericho, West Bank, November 30, 2006
"...We have discussed with Dr. Rice today the issues related to pushing
the peace process forward and to implement the roadmap entirely which
includes the Arab Peace Initiative which entails President Bush's vision
which lately he stated about certain principles referred to the Israeli
Prime Minister Olmert when he spoke positively about the creation of a
Palestinian, independent Palestinian contiguous state and when he
indicated to the Arab Peace Initiative positively. I believe that what he
said in this direction is very encouraging in order to push the peace
process forward. We want the Palestinian state and the Palestinians to
live alongside with Israel.A contiguous state, as Olmert indicated and as
was confirmed by President Bush, this is our goal and any obstacles on
that path will obstruct and undermine these efforts. Therefore what we
want is to have a political track, a track for political issues, and
another track for daily issues, things that the people suffer from,
prisoners, roadblocks, obstacles, deprivation of many things and issues
that the Palestinian people are deprived from. If this happens, then we
give the two peoples hope that the peace is coming and imminent. We must
give people hope..."
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/77149.htm
• Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert
"Address by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert," Memorial Ceremony for
David Ben-Gurion, Sde Boker, November 27, 2006
"...If a new Palestinian government is established - a government which
will be committed to the principles of the Quartet, implement the Roadmap
and bring about the release of Gilad Shalit, I will invite Abu-Mazen to
meet with me immediately, in order to conduct a real, open, genuine and
serious dialogue between us. In the framework of this dialogue, and in
accordance with the Roadmap, you will be able to establish an independent
and viable Palestinian State, with territorial contiguity in Judea and
Samaria - a State with full sovereignty and defined borders.I hereby
declare that when Gilad Shalit is released and returned to his family,
safe and sound, the Government of Israel will be willing to release
numerous Palestinian prisoners - including ones who were sentenced to
lengthy prison terms - in order to increase the trust between us and prove
that our hand is truly extended in genuine peace. The cessation of
terrorism and violence will enable us to offer you a series of steps,
which will be taken in joint coordination, in order to facilitate the
improvement of the Palestinian population's quality of living, which was
severely affected as a result of our need to take defensive measures
against your terrorist actions. We will significantly diminish the number
of roadblocks, increase freedom of movement in the territories, facilitate
movement of people and goods in both directions, improve the operation of
the border crossings to the Gaza Strip, and release Palestinian funds for
the purpose of alleviating the humanitarian hardship which many of you
suffer.We will seek the assistance of those neighboring Arab States which
strive for a peaceful solution to the conflict between us, including: the
Kingdom of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, in order to
benefit from their experience and receive backing for direct negotiations
between us. The voices emanating from those States regarding the need for
recognition and normalization of relations with the State of Israel -
including, for example, some parts in the Saudi peace initiative - are
positive, and I intend to invest efforts in order to advance the
connection with those States and strengthen their support of direct
bilateral negotiations between us and the Palestinians..."
http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Speeches+by+Israeli+leaders/2006/PM+Olmert+reaches+out+to+Palestinians+at+Ben-Gurion+memorial+27-Nov-2006.htm
• Israeli Defense
Minister Amir Peretz
"Peretz: Saudi initiative must serve as basis for talks with
Palestinians," Akiva Eldar, Haaretz, December 11, 2006
"The Saudi peace initiative, which calls for a two-state solution along
the 1967 borders, must be used as a basis for negotiations between Israel
and the Palestinians, Defense Minister Amir Peretz said on Sunday.
Speaking to delegates from the Israel Business Conference, Peretz said
Israel must present a 'real political horizon' to Palestinian leaders if
it intends to enter successful negotiations. Israel 'must deal with the
Saudi initiative as a basis for negotiations,' Peretz added. Peretz made a
similar comment in October in an address to an academic conference at Tel
Aviv University, when he said "We could see the Saudi initiative as the
basis for negotiation, adding, 'his does not mean that we are adopting the
Saudi initiative, but it can serve as a basis.'..."
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/799132.html
3.
BAKER-HAMILTON IRAQ STUDY GROUP'S
RECOMMENDATIONS ON ARAB-ISRAELI ISSUES
Below are excerpts from the
Baker-Hamilton Iraq Study Group (ISG) report, released on Wednesday,
December 6th, related to Arab-Israeli issues. The report recommends
renewed US efforts to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict and recognizes the
importance of addressing Middle East issues in a comprehensive way. The
full report can be viewed online in pdf format on the website of the US
Institute of Peace:
http://www.usip.org/isg/iraq_study_group_report/report/1206/index.html
From the Executive Summary:
The United States cannot achieve its goals in the Middle East unless it
deals directly with the Arab-Israeli conflict and regional instability.
There must be a renewed and sustained commitment by the United States to a
comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts: Lebanon, Syria, and
President Bush's June 2002 commitment to a two-state solution for Israel
and Palestine. This commitment must include direct talks with, by, and
between Israel, Lebanon, Palestinians (those who accept Israel's right to
exist), and Syria.
From Section II, "A New Way Forward", Part A- "The External
Approach: Building an International Consensus"
4. The Wider Regional Context
The United States will not be able to achieve its goals in the Middle East
unless the United States deals directly with the Arab-Israeli conflict.
There must be a renewed and sustained commitment by the United States to a
comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts: Lebanon, Syria, and
President Bush's June 2002 commitment to a two-state solution for Israel
and Palestine. This commitment must include direct talks with, by, and
between Israel, Lebanon, Palestinians (those who accept Israel's right to
exist), and particularly Syria-which is the principal transit point for
shipments of weapons to Hezbollah, and which supports radical Palestinian
groups.
The United States does its ally Israel no favors in avoiding direct
involvement to solve the Arab-Israeli conflict. For several reasons, we
should act boldly:
•There is no military solution to this conflict.
•The vast majority of the Israeli body politic is tired of being a nation
perpetually at war.
•No American administration-Democratic or Republican-will ever abandon
Israel.
•Political engagement and dialogue are essential in the Arab-Israeli
dispute because it is an axiom that when the political process breaks down
there will be violence on the ground.
•The only basis on which peace can be achieved is that set forth in UN
Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and in the principle of "land for
peace."
•The only lasting and secure peace will be a negotiated peace such as
Israel has achieved with Egypt and Jordan. This effort would strongly
support moderate Arab governments in the region, especially the
democratically elected government of Lebanon, and the Palestinian
Authority under President Mahmoud Abbas.
RECOMMENDATION 13: There must be a renewed and sustained commitment
by the United States to a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace on all fronts:
Lebanon and Syria, and President Bush's June 2002 commitment to a
two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
RECOMMENDATION 14: This effort should include-as soon as
possible-the unconditional calling and holding of meetings, under the
auspices of the United States or the Quartet (i.e., the United States,
Russia, European Union, and the United Nations), between Israel and
Lebanon and Syria on the one hand, and Israel and Palestinians (who
acknowledge Israel's right to exist) on the other. The purpose of these
meetings would be to negotiate peace as was done at the Madrid Conference
in 1991, and on two separate tracks-one Syrian/Lebanese, and the other
Palestinian...
RECOMMENDATION 17: Concerning the Palestinian issue, elements of
that negotiated peace should include:
•Adherence to UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and to the
principle of land for peace, which are the only bases for achieving peace.
•Strong support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the
Palestinian Authority to take the lead in preparing the way for
negotiations with Israel.
•A major effort to move from the current hostilities by consolidating the
cease-fire reached between the Palestinians and the Israelis in November
2006.
•Support for a Palestinian national unity government.
•Sustainable negotiations leading to a final peace settlement along the
lines of President Bush's two-state solution, which would address the key
final status issues of borders, settlements, Jerusalem, the right of
return, and the end of conflict.
4.
JEWISH, CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM LEADERS CALL FOR MIDEAST PEACE
"Jewish, Christian and
Muslim Leaders Urge the Administration and New Congress to Make
Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace a Top Priority," National
Interreligious Leadership Initiative For Peace in the Middle East,
December 14, 2006
"Leaders of twenty-five national Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious
communities and organizations have issued a united call for the Bush
Administration and the new Congress to make Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace
a top priority of U.S. foreign policy. The statement,
'Arab-Israeli-Palestinian Peace: From Crisis to Hope,' affirms peace as
'an essential of faith in all three religious traditions and asserts: 'Our
nation has an inescapable responsibility and an indispensable role to
provide creative, determined leadership for building a just peace for all
in the Middle East.'...The religious leaders committed themselves 'to
working with the Administration and with Congress to support active, fair
and firm U.S. leadership to help Israelis, Palestinians and Arab states
achieve a just peace.' The leaders pledged themselves 'to building public
support for peace with justice for all in the region.'"
The full text of the statement and list of endorsers can be found at:
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/nilistatement.htm.
5.
JERUSALEM AND BETHLEHEM NEWS; IMPACT OF THE SEPARATION BARRIER
"Christmas behind Israel's
wall," Joshua Mitnick, The Christian Science Monitor, from
December 22, 2006 edition
"The meticulously followed Christmas ritual dates back to Ottoman times.
Every year on the morning of Dec. 25, the Latin Patriarch and a host of
Church dignitaries head southward from Jerusalem via an ancient road to
Bethlehem. But this year, the procession will pass through a metal gate
topped with rolls of barbed wire, normally closed but opened briefly so as
not to impede the tradition. Flanking the gate are sections of 28-ft. high
slabs of concrete that have made the northern approach of Bethlehem into a
walled city. Half encircled by Israel's barrier, residents in the city
where Jesus was born worry that the obstacle will slow a renewed stream of
pilgrims as well as sever Bethlehem's historic link to Jerusalem. 'Going
to Jerusalem is now like going to Jordan,' complains Ali Jubran, a
construction worker from Bethlehem, as he puts finishing touches on a new
checkpoint terminal. 'If you want to pray [at the mosque], you have to
present a passport.'..."
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1222/p06s01-wome.html
"Jerusalem Barrier Causes Major Upheaval," Karin Laub,
Washington Post, December 2, 2006
"...The barrier, part of a larger West Bank divider meant to keep out
Palestinian suicide bombers, slices through the city's Arab neighborhoods.
The 100,000 left outside it-some 40 percent of Jerusalem's 240,000
Arabs-have to cross terminals with watchtowers, luggage scanners and lines
for ID checks to get to downtown jobs and schools. The result is a
migration into Arab neighborhoods inside the barrier that is pushing up
housing prices. Some Arabs are even moving into Jewish neighborhoods. It
also flies in the face of Israel's claim to have united a city that until
1967 was divided by a wall between its Jewish west and Arab east, and the
new inward migration is undercutting Israel's stated goal of maintaining a
solid Jewish majority in the heart of Jerusalem. Israeli officials are at
pains to portray the barrier as temporary. They say the wall's cement
slabs, up to two stories high, could be pulled up by cranes in a matter of
days, if the city's final status was worked out in an Israeli-Palestinian
peace deal...The barrier is also turning Jerusalem from a metropolis into
a 'dead-end city' cut off from its West Bank hinterland, weakening its
economy, bankrupting businesses in its shadow and threatening to
radicalize a moderate Arab population, warned Kimhi's Jerusalem Institute
for Israel Studies, a think tank that advises the government..."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/02/AR2006120200463_pf.html
6.
QUICK FACTS ON PALESTINIAN CHRISTIANS AND CATHOLIC-MIDDLE EAST NEWS
"10 key things you should
know about Palestinian Christians," from the Newsletter of The
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, November, 2006
1. In Jerusalem in 1944 there were nearly 30,000 Christians, now it is
estimated to be less than 10,500
2. Palestinian Christians make up only 4% (10,500) of all Palestinians
living in East (Arab) Jerusalem today
3. The number of Palestinian Christians in the West Bank has declined by
two thirds to 2% (40,000) since 1967
4. The number of Palestinian Christians has declined by three quarters to
less than 0.25% (2000) in the Gaza Strip since 1967
5. The number of Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem, the birthplace of
Jesus Christ, has fallen from 80% around 1950 to 15% today
6. In Israel the proportion of Israeli Arabs who are Christian has fallen
from 14% in the mid 1990s to 9% today
7. Palestinian Christians make up 1.7% of the population of Israel
8. World wide one in every ten thousand Christians is a Palestinian
9. There are 75 church buildings in Jerusalem
10. Within occupied Palestinian territory there are 69 church buildings in
the West Bank (30 in Bethlehem, 14 in Jericho) and 5 in Gaza.
http://www.julierowe.net/ELCJHL/newsletters/06%20November.doc
"Israel and Holy See Plan 2 Key Meetings on 'Church-State
Relationship'," Zenit (Rome), December 8, 2006
"Catholics and Israelis are awaiting with hope a pair of meetings of the
Israel-Holy See Permanent Bilateral Commission on key issues in the
Church-state relationship...The first meeting in December will be attended
by experts from the Vatican and Israel. The second meeting in January will
be attended by governmental ministers. The Fundamental Agreement between
the Vatican and Israel, establishing diplomatic relations between both
states, was signed on Dec. 30, 1993. On Nov. 10, 1997, the Holy See and
Israel signed a second significant treaty, with which the Mideast country
recognized the Church's juridical personality and its agencies. Both
agreements were ratified and came into force on the basis of an
international plan on March 10, 1994, and Feb. 3, 1999, respectively.
However, despite the passing of years, to date neither of the agreements
has become law...Speaking on Vatican Radio, Franciscan Father David
Jaeger, jurist and Mideast expert, referred to the two forthcoming
meetings and expressed the hope that they might 'come to the longed-for
agreement & negotiations have been under way since March 11,
1999'...'Above all, there should be a conclusion to the agreement that is
currently being negotiated, whose intention is to assure the Church of the
ownership of the holy places that belong to it, and to confirm the tax
exemptions, recognized also by international law.'"
http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=99559
"Holy See's Address on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Two Steps are
Called For," Catholic Online, November 17, 2006
Below is the address that Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, the Holy See's
permanent observer to the United Nations at Geneva, gave at the 3rd
Special Session of the Human Rights Council, held Wednesday.
"In its short history, the Human Rights Council has faced tough challenges
given the persisting violations of human rights in several areas of the
world, violations it has not always been able to address with fairness and
consistency because of shortsighted political and economic interests. But
a Human Rights Council that does not contribute to change the quality of
people's life on the ground, in their daily tasks and normal activities,
seriously risks a loss of credibility. To the delegation of the Holy See
it appears that a priority of the council would be a qualitative step
forward in confidence-building, the adoption of a courageous method of
real dialogue that enables placing on the table the real problems calling
for solution no matter how different at the start are the points of view.
On the assumption of such a confidence, the present Special Session can be
a constructive occasion. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been caught
in a cycle of violence that, as experience shows, leads nowhere. This
tragic spiral of suffering must be broken. Two steps are called for.
First, the two people involved must recognize each other's humanity and
equality and start this process of mutual recognition on a base of justice
and respect of fundamental human rights and international and humanitarian
law...Second, the family of states has a moral responsibility to promote a
mentality of peace; to collaborate through practical measures for the
elimination of the deep cultural, social and economic roots of violence;
to aid and enable the parties involved in pursuing a fruitful
collaboration...In the view of this delegation, the Palestinian-Israeli
conflict, as a major source of instability in the Middle East, becomes a
chain in a vicious cycle that produces instability in the whole region..."
http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=3810
7.
UPDATE ON WEST BANK/GAZA FUNDING AND HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
"ISRAEL-OPT: US$450m
humanitarian appeal for Palestinians," IRIN, December 8, 2006
"United Nations agencies and NGOs have launched a US$450 million emergency
appeal for humanitarian aid for the Palestinians - the biggest-ever for
the Palestinians and the third-largest in the world. So much money is
needed because two-thirds of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
have fallen into poverty, said Kevin Kennedy, the UN's humanitarian
coordinator...'We have been compelled to launch a larger appeal in the
face of the increased need among the Palestinian population,' said
Kennedy. 'It is particularly aimed at assisting the most vulnerable
Palestinians, including children, who make up about half of the
population.' Because of the freeze, the PNA, which relies on foreign aid,
has not been able to pay its 160,000 employees, who support another
million family members. 'Growing numbers of people are unable to cover
their daily food needs and agencies report that basic services such as
health care and education are deteriorating and set to worsen much
further,' he added. Most of the 2007 emergency funding sought will go
towards addressing poverty through emergency employment programmes, and
expanding food and agricultural aid, as well as supporting health,
education and psycho-social services...'Humanitarian assistance can
cushion a deteriorating situation, but it ultimately cannot stop the
decline,' warned David Shearer, head of the UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)...'We are anxious to help the most needy
maintain their dignity and have income. But the humanitarian community is
not in a position to provide the full range of services offered by the
Palestinian Authority - and has no ambitions to do so,' he said.
'Ultimately only a political settlement can generate a significant
improvement,' he added."
http://www.irinnews.org/print.asp?ReportID=56664
"From Bethlehem to Jerusalem: Children of the Holy Land receive
improved schools," International Orthodox Christian Charities,
December 4, 2006
"IOCC's plan to renovate and upgrade nine private schools in the West Bank
was recently approved for funding by the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID). This initiative follows the redirection
of aid for IOCC's prior rehabilitation of public schools after elections
brought new leadership to the Palestinian Authority. It is the first time
that U.S. government funding will go towards faith-based schools in the
Holy Land. Nora Kort, IOCC's Head of Office in Jerusalem, talks about how
this new program will bring hope and opportunity to all children in the
embattled West Bank..."
http://www.iocc.org/nwsltr/winter2006/winter2006_pg5.shtml
"Qatar to pay wages of Palestinian education workers," Reuters,
December 3, 2006
"U.S.-ally Qatar will pay the salaries of 40,000 Palestinian education
workers for several months, the Palestinian prime minister said on Sunday,
helping to ease an economic crisis caused by a Western aid boycott. 'Qatar
will pay the salaries of all the education employees, who are 40,000. This
amount will total $22.5 million per month for the coming several months
starting now,' Ismail Haniyeh said, adding that Qatar was also studying
giving an additional $7 million per month to the Palestinian health
sector. Haniyeh told reporters in Doha a Qatari delegation would travel to
the Palestinian territories in 10 days to discuss setting up an Islamic
bank with a $50 million capital that would be increased to $100 million to
finance development there. The Gulf Arab state would also build a sports
city in the Palestinian territories, Haniyeh said, but gave no more
details..."
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L03183664.htm
"The Agreement on Movement and Access - One Year On," The Office of
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), November 30, 2006
"Review of the Access and Movement Agreement after one year - Overall
access deteriorated in both the West Bank and in and out of the Gaza
Strip. No targets were met although Palestinian movement improved through
Rafah Crossing for the first 6 months of 2006. The flow of commercial
goods out of Gaza is negligible - average of export trucks through Karni
12 per day. The number of physical obstacles in the West Bank increased by
44%..."
http://www.ochaopt.org/?module=displaysection§ion_id=119&format=html
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