PALESTINE US Report On The
Middle East28 Palestinians, including 2 children and a woman, were killed by Israeli forces in a week -- PCHR
Thursday 19 October 2006
Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said 28 Palestinians, including 2 children and a woman, were killed by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) during 12-18 October 2006, according to Palestine News Agency (WAFA).
In its weekly report, PCHR added that every one of the two children was killed together with his father, and noted that 6 of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in 3 separate attacks.
The report pointed out that 45 Palestinians, including 14 children and 4 women, were wounded.
"IOF arrested 48 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, in the West Bank, and 8 others in the Gaza Strip," the report stated.
IOF continued to launch air strikes on houses and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip, destroying 5 houses and damaging a number of others. The report stated that IOF conducted 30 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, and 6 others into the Gaza Strip.World Bank will administer a $47 million grant to the West Bank, Gaza, to support the delivery of essential services
Monday, 18 September 2006
Representatives of the Office of the President of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Mahmoud Abbas and the World Bank have signed an agreement today for the administration of a $46.6 million grant to the West Bank and Gaza, to support the delivery of essential services.
The grant, provided by international donors to the World Bank administered Emergency Services Support Program (ESSP) Multi-Donor Trust Fund, will finance urgent supplies and running costs in hospitals, primary health care centers, schools, social shelters and rehabilitation centers managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs. ESSP resources will be allocated for the procurement of essential pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, the rehabilitation of schools and the procurement of essential learning materials, as well as for the provision of grants to help sustain Universities and other Higher Education Institutions.Israeli forces kill 193 Palestinians, wound 790 others since June 26 -- Palestinian Ministry of Health
Monday, 14 August 2006
Palestinian Ministry of Health (MOH) has said that Israeli occupation forces have killed 193 citizens and wounded 790 others, including 83 children since June 26, according to Palestine News Agency (WAFA).
In a report , MOH added that 28 were killed with live bullets, 75 of Israeli missiles shrapnel and 70 were torn into pieces.
MOH noted that five citizens died at the Rafah Border Crossing during its closure as a result of dire and deteriorated conditions.President Abbas calls upon the U.S. to immediately intervene to stop the dangerous Israeli escalation in Gaza -- WAFA
Sunday, 9 July 2006
President Mahmoud Abbas has called upon the United States and the international community to immediately intervene to stop the dangerous Israeli escalation, said Palestine News Agency (WAFA).
In a meeting with U.S. Consul General Jake Walles in Ramallah, the West Bank today, President Abbas also called to re-open the Rafah international Crossing, and to allow the flow of humanitarian assistance to evade a humanitarian crisis in Gaza that was invaded by the Israeli army after the kidnaping of Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit.Presidency, government will continue commitment to the negotiation process -- President Abbas
Saturday, 18 February 2006
"We, as presidency and government," said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, "will continue our commitment to the negotiation process as the sole political, pragmatic, and strategic choice through which we reap the fruit of our struggle and sacrifices over the long decades."
In his remarks today to the opening session of the Second Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Ramallah, Palestine, President Abbas added, "The results of our elections have led to the creation of a new political reality, in which Hamas won the majority in the PLC. Therefore, it will be tasked with the formation of the new government."Hamas wins Palestinian Parliamentary elections with 76 seats; Fateh gets 43 seats -- CEC
Sunday, 26 February 2006
The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has announced Thursday that Hamas won 76 seats in the elections of the second Palestinian Legislative Council (132 eats), according to Palestine News Agency (WAFA), while Fateh came in second place with 43 seats.
The CEC said there were 1,011,992 voters, 1,332,396 registered voters, and voting percentage reached 74.64%.
The total number of voters in all West Bank districts was 582,471 (73.1%), and 429,521 (76%)
in Gaza electoral districts. Rafah electoral district obtained the highest percentage of voting at 82.65%.For the first time since 1967, Palestinians will control entry, exit from their territory through an international crossing at Rafah -- Secretary Rice
Tuesday, 15 November 2005
"I am pleased to be able to announce today that Israel and the Palestinian Authority have concluded an agreement on movement and access," said Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. "This agreement is intended to give the Palestinian people freedom to move, to trade, to live ordinary lives."
In her remarks in Jerusalem with Quartet Special Envoy Jim Wolfensohn and European Union High Representative Javier Solana, Secretary Rice added, "For the first time since 1967, Palestinians will gain control over entry and exit from their territory. This will be through an international crossing at Rafah, whose target opening date is November 25th."
"Palestinians will be able to move between Gaza and the West Bank; specifically, bus convoys are to begin about a month from now and truck convoys are to start a month after that.
"Construction of a Palestinian seaport can begin.
"The parties agree on the importance of the airport. Israel recognizes that the Palestinian Authority will want to resume construction on the airport. I am encouraging Israel to consider allowing construction to resume as this agreement is successfully implemented.
"Prime Minister (Ariel) Sharon and President (Mahmoud) Abbas have shown real statesmanship in making the decisions that led to this agreement.Israeli disengagement from Gaza abandoned 5% of occupied territories, 2% of Jewish settlers and the demographic problem of 1.4 million Palestinians -- PLO Mission Head Afif Safieh
Wednesday, 9 November 2005
When Israel disengaged from the Gaza Strip during August-September it only withdrew from 1.3% of Mandatory Palestine and 5% of Palestinian occupied territories in 1967, said Head of the PLO Mission to the U.S. Afif Safieh in a meeting with the U.S. Department of State yesterday.
In his remarks at the Washington Association of Arab Journalists (WAAJ) at the Palestinian Center today, the Head of the Mission reported that in that meeting, he added, only 2% of total Jewish settlers were pulled out and the Israeli Government got rid of the demographic problem of 1.4 million Palestinians. Mr. Safieh condemned the unilateral policy of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Government towards the Palestinian People.
He noted that he has had a number of meetings with the legal office of the State Department where he was in a listening mood. As a result of freezing the assets of PLO Office in Washington, DC, Mr. Safieh pointed out that he can’t get any PLO money transfer and had to rent a house and furniture out of his own pocket. He stated that he will try to find a solution to that problem in court.
Mr. Safieh announced that he is open to dialogue with the Jewish lobby on the basis that, “I am responsible for what I say and not what I hear.” He called upon the Palestinian people to wage a popular nonviolent struggle for it is unwise to invite Mark Tyson to a boxing game but for another game. He concluded, that the Palestinian people does not have the authority it deserves nor the opposition it needs, and affirmed that though he is a Christian from Jerusalem none of his cheeks is for slap.USAID will contribute $17 million to build, improve 16 km. of West Bank roads
Thursday, 3 November 2005
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works, is funding the rehabilitation of three new roads as part of the third phase of a program to improve transportation, create jobs and support the development of a sustainable economy in the West Bank.
The $17 million American contribution will help build and improve over 16 kilometers of West Bank roads, offering some 22,000 person-days of employment for Palestinians.
The first road to be rehabilitated is a 6.8 kilometer section between the villages of Tubas and El Faraa'. The $3.9 million construction will improve the distribution of agricultural products from the Jordan Valley to major centers in the northern West Bank.
The program will also repair 2.5 kilometers of Qalandiah Road between the checkpoint and the Municipality of Ramallah. This is the main artery connecting Jerusalem with Ramallah. The rehabilitation will benefit over one million residents in the area and is estimated to cost $2.5 million.
The third road proposed for rehabilitation is a seven kilometer section of Highway 60, the main road connecting Jenin and Nablus. The construction will ease the travel of over 700,000 people and will cost about $4.1 million.World Bank approves an IDA $20 million grant for West Bank & Gaza-Gaza Emergency Water Project
Thursday, 9 June 2005
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved today an International Development Agency (IDA) $20 million grant for West Bank and Gaza-Gaza Emergency Water Project.
The development objectives of the project are: i) To develop a sustainable institutional structure of the water and wastewater sector in the Gaza Strip by supporting the functional establishment of a Coastal Water Utility under the ownership of the local governments representing those communities as well as by enhancing and deepening the involvement of the private sector, and strengthening the regulatory and institutional capacity of the Palestinian Water Authority. ii) To continue improving the water and sanitation services by rehabilitation, upgrading and expansion of the existing systems and facilities.President Bush: Israel should avoid to prejudice final status negotiations with regard to Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem
Thursday, 27 May 2005
"Israel should not undertake any activity that contravenes road map obligations," declared President George W. Bush, "or prejudice final status negotiations with regard to Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem."
In his remarks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today, President Bush said, "Therefore, Israel must remove unauthorized outposts and stop settlement expansion."
The President added, "Israeli forces should withdraw to their positions on September the 28th, 2000."
He noted, "The barrier being erected by Israel as a part of its security effort must be a security, rather than political, barrier. And its route should take into account, consistent with security needs, its impact on Palestinians not engaged in terrorist activities."
The President pointed out, "Any final status agreement must be reached between the two parties, and changes to the 1949 Armistice lines must be mutually agreed to. A viable two-state solution must ensure contiguity of the West Bank, and a state of scattered territories will not work. There must also be meaningful linkages between the West Bank and Gaza. This is the position of the United States today, it will be the position of the United States at the time of final status negotiations."
He announced, "To help ensure that the Gaza disengagement is a success, the United States will provide to the Palestinian Authority $50 million to be used for new housing and infrastructure projects in the Gaza."
President Mahmoud Abbas said that the two Presidents, "Discussed the efforts that have been undertaken by the Palestinian Authority throughout the past few months to bring about calm. These efforts have brought about the reduction of violence to the lowest level in four years, and once again reopened the window of hope for progress toward peace .We emphasized our determination to maintain and preserve this calm."
President Abbas added, "We are talking about a Palestinian state within the boundaries of 1967. That means that those boundaries, in our views, should go back to the Palestinian people. This is what the road map states, and this is what is in various U.N. Security Council resolutions."
He noted, "Democracy is like a coin; it has two sides. On one side is democracy; on the other side of the coin is freedom ... We do not live in freedom in our homeland."
Mr. Abbas warned, "Time is becoming our greatest enemy. We should end this conflict before it is too late."The U.S. launches a $12 million, 38.5 kilometers road reconstruction program for the West Bank
Friday, 20 May 2005
The U.S. Government has launched an ambitious $12 million road reconstruction program Friday to improve commerce and traffic between West Bank communities.
The road renovation project is one of the development projects that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is accelerating as a sign of U.S. commitment to support the democratically-elected Palestinian leadership.
In consultation with the Palestinian Ministry of Planning and the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the following seven key roads totaling 38.5 kilometers were selected for reconstruction:
· Qalandiah-Al Beireh Road, Ramallah District, 2.5 kilometers;
· Road 60-Arabah to Jabaa-intersection, Jenin District, 8 kilometers;
· Soureef-Kharas Road, Hebron District, 8 kilometers;
· Tulkarem-Anabta Road, Tulkarem District, 5 kilometers;
· Tubas-Al Faraa Road, Tubas District, 8 kilometers;
· Beit O’ur-Beit Loqya, Ramallah District, 4 kilometers;
· Yaa’bad Main Road, Jenin District, 3 kilometers.
The Ministry of Planning gave top priority to repairs on the Qalandia-Al Bireh Road, which is heavily trafficked by people from all over the West Bank and is the main entry into Jerusalem. The road passes through a low area and is often badly flooded during the winter months. Currently, it is in terrible condition and in need of urgent reconstruction.
Contractors who have been chosen to implement the projects, under the supervision of the U.S. engineering firm CH2M Hill, include Al Tariffi, Saqqa & Khoudary, Ocean Contracting and Saqqa & Koudary Joint Venture.President Bush will welcome PA President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House
Tuesday, 17 May 2005
President George W. Bush will welcome Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House on May 26, 2005, said a statement by White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan.
President Bush looks forward to discussing with President Abbas a range of bilateral and regional issues, including Gaza Disengagement and efforts to move ahead on the roadmap toward a peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. The United States remains committed to the vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.World Bank approves a $10 million IDA grant for Tertiary Education Project in Palestine
Tuesday, 26 April 2005
World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved today a $10 million International Development Agency (IDA) grant for Tertiary Education Project in Palestine.
The project's objectives are to improve the regulatory environment for tertiary education management, governance and quality assurance; increase internal and external efficiency of the tertiary education system, as a first step towards achieving sustainability; and, create incentives and provide the basis for improvements in efficiency, quality and relevance of tertiary education institutions in order to meet the socioeconomic needs of the Palestinian population.Mahmoud Abbas is voted as the elected President of the PNA with 62%
Monday, 10 January 2005
Mr. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) was elected as President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), said Head of Central Election Commission (CEC) Hanna Nasser, according to Palestine News Agency (WAFA). Mr. Abbas was National Liberation Movement's (FATAH) candidate for President.
In a press conference in Ramallah, the West Bank, Mrs. Nasser declared, according to CEC initial results, that Mr. Abbas was voted as the elected President of the PNA after he won 62.32% of the vote.
CEC Head added that Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) put many obstacles in face of voters of East Jerusalem, and only 26,365 out of 120,000 voters were able to cast their ballots in the holy city.
She noted that about 71% out of 775,146 voters in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip participated in the elections.Mahmoud Abbas will receive 40% of the votes in the Palestinian presidential elections, Marwan Barghouti 38% -- PSR
Monday, 6 December 2004
If Palestinian presidential elections scheduled for 9 January 2005 were to take place today, the results would be close with Mr. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) receiving 40% of the votes and Mr. Marwan Barghouti (in Israeli jail) receiving 38%, found a poll by Palestinian Center for Policy & Survey Research (PSR) in Ramallah, the West Bank. Mustafa Barghouti would receive 6% while all the other candidates would receive a total of 3% for all of them combined. 13% have not decided yet.
The poll shows Mr. Abbas winning in the Gaza Strip (48% vs. 34% for Mr. Marwan Barghouti). But Mr. Marwan Barghouti wins in the West Bank (40% vs. 35% for Mr. Mahmoud Abbas). These results represent the voting intentions of those planning to participate in the vote. The findings show that the level of non participation is going to be low (10%).
The poll also shows a significant increase in the popularity of Fateh from 29% last September to 40% in this poll. The increase is higher in the Gaza Strip, from 24% to 38%. The popularity of Hamas drops in the total West Bank and the Gaza Strip from 22% last September to 18% in this poll. In the Gaza Strip, Hamas’ popularity drops from 30% to 22%. The total level of support for all Islamists (Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and independent Islamists) drops in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip from 32% to 24% during the same period.FATAH Central Committee nominates Mahmoud Abbas for Palestinian presidential elections set for January 9
Tuesday, 23 November 2004
FATAH Movement's Central Committee (FMCC) has unanimously nominated Monday FMCC member Mr. Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) to be its candidate in the presidential elections, said Palestine News Agency (WAFA). The Central Committee decided to submit its nomination before the FATAH Revolutionary Council to endorse the candidacy and to provide all support possible for the success of FATAH in the coming elections set for January 9.
In its two-day meetings in Ramallah, the West Bank the Central Committee discussed a number of political and security issues in the light of the forthcoming elections, calling on Interim President of Palestinian National Authority Mr. Rouhi Fattouh to issue a decree to define a date for the parliamentarian elections before mid-2005.
The Committee stressed the importance of achieving a solution for Palestinian refugees' issue based on the international legitimacy resolutions.600,000 Palestinians cannot afford to meet their basic needs in food, clothing and shelter to survive -- World Bank
Monday, 22 November 2004
After four years of intifada, "Some 47 percent of Palestinians live below the poverty line," said a World Bank report.
In a separate publication focusing on the, "poorest of the poor", the World Bank notes that as many as 600,000 Palestinians cannot afford to meet their basic needs in food, clothing and shelter to survive. Facing what is known as subsistence poverty, this group - whose expenditures amount to less than $1.5 a day per person - has become increasingly vulnerable to economic shocks.President Bush: the death of Yasser Arafat is a significant moment in Palestinian history; we expresses condolences to the Palestinian people
Wednesday, 10 November 2004
"The death of Yasser Arafat is a significant moment in Palestinian history," declared a statement by President George W. Bush, "We express our condolences to the Palestinian people. For the Palestinian people, we hope that the future will bring peace and the fulfillment of their aspirations for an independent, democratic Palestine that is at peace with its neighbors."
President Bush added, "During the period of transition that is ahead, we urge all in the region and throughout the world to join in helping make progress toward these goals and toward the ultimate goal of peace."Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan will fail with tragic consequences -- Yasser Abed Rabbo
Monday, 18 October 2004
PLO's executive committee member Yasser Abed Rabbo said, "Partial [or] unilateral" solutions such as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan will invariably fail with tragic consequences.
In a briefing hosted by the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP), Mr. Rabbo added, Israel will still retain control over the entrances, exits, and airspace of Gaza after the withdrawal and is therefore not the beginning of a solution, "But the beginning of a further deterioration in the situation," he noted.Israel demolishes thousands of homes in Rafah, Gaza Strip -- Human Rights Watch
Monday, 18 October 2004
The Israeli armed forces have illegally razed thousands of homes, regardless of military necessity, to clear Palestinians from the Gaza-Egypt border and create a “buffer zone,” Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The Israeli government is calling for the destruction of hundreds more homes to widen the zone as part of a plan to “disengage” from the territory.
Human Rights Watch 135-page report, “Razing Rafah: Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip,” focuses on the southern Gaza town of Rafah, where more than 10 percent of the population has lost their homes.
“Israel’s conduct in southern Gaza stems from the assumption that every Palestinian is a suicide bomber and every home a base for attack,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “This policy of mass home destruction leads to serious violations of international humanitarian law meant to protect civilians.”
The human rights organization found the IDF has made 16,000 people homeless over the past four years, regardless of whether their homes posed a genuine military threat.World Bank approves an $8 million grant for North Gaza Emergency Sewage Treatment Project
Tuesday, 7 September 2004
The World Bank’s Board has approved a $7.8 million grant to mitigate the immediate and gathering health and environmental safety threats surrounding the effluent lake that was formed as a result of the overflow at the Beit Lahia Water Treatment Plant.
The project aims to execute a scheme to transfer the effluent to the newly constructed infiltration basins east of Jabalia, and to implement the proposed North Gaza Wastewater Treatment Plant east of Jabalia.OPIC provides $48 million in insurance to help operate a 140 megawatt power plant in Gaza
Wednesday, 21 July 2004
OPIC will provide $48 million in insurance to a subsidiary of Morganti Group, Inc., a Connecticut-based construction company, to help operate a 140 megawatt power plant in the Gaza Strip, the output of which will be sold to the Palestinian Energy Authority (PEA).
The plant began generating power in single cycle in June 2002, and reached full commercial operation in March 2004. This is the first such plant under the regulatory control of the PEA, OPIC President and CEO Dr. Peter Watson announced today.Sharon's government gave the U.S. a list of 28 out of 53 outposts Peace Now counted in the West Bank
Monday, 6 July 2004
Israeli Peace Now Settlement Watch project has counted 53 outposts erected in the West Bank since March 2001 when Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon took office, said Americans for Peace Now, in addition to another 44 outposts established before then.
But, Israel gave the U.S. a list of 28 unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank. The list was presented by the Israeli Defense Minister’s adviser Baruch Spiegel to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Kurtzer last Tuesday.
Without distinguishing between authorized and unauthorized outposts, the Road Map requires Israel to immediately dismantle settlement outposts erected after March 2001.World Bank approves a $20 million emergency Palestinian Authority budgetary assistance; a $10 million Social Safety Net Reform Project
Thursday, 3 June 2004
The World Bank has approved an emergency structural adjustment grant of $20 million to be used as part of the Bank's response to the immediate needs of the Palestinian Authority (PA) for budgetary assistance.
After more than three years of crisis, the PA is facing severe economic and fiscal challenges with a financing gap estimated at $650 million for 2004.
In addition, the World Bank approved the launching of a Social Safety Net Reform Project with an initial financing of $10 million with the aim of supporting the Palestinian Authority (PA) in meeting an increased demand for social assistance.
The Project will assist the Ministry of Social Affairs to reform and expand its main social assistance instrument known as the Social Hardship Cases Program. This Program provides regular cash assistance, food donations and health insurance provision to about 120,000 individuals.A full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949 is unrealistic -- President Bush
Wednesday, 14 April 2003
"In light of new realities on the ground [in the West Bank]," said President George W. Bush, "including already existing major Israeli populations centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949."
President Bush's remarks were released in a statement on the occasion of Israeli Prime Minster Ariel Sharon's visit to the White House.The Israeli army risk destabilizing the Palestinian banking sector -- State Spokesman
Wednesday, 25 February 2004
The Israeli army went into the branches of three banks in Ramallah, the West Bank.
"Some of these actions that were taken risk destabilizing the Palestinian banking sector," said State Department Spokesman Richard A. Boucher, "and so we'd prefer to see Israeli coordination with Palestinian financial authorities in order to stem the flow of funds to terrorist groups."Secretary Powell remarks "a very good meeting" with Abed Rabbo, Beilin who describe Geneva Initiative as complementary to the roadmap
Friday, 5 December 2003
"I thought it was a very good meeting," described State Department Secretary Colin L. Powell his 20-30 minute meeting with Geneva Initiative architects former Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo and former Israeli Justice Minister Yossi Beilin.
"We welcome other ideas, and they had a chance to share with me the reason for the work that they had been doing and how they believe it can contribute to the process toward peace and how it is complementary to the roadmap. So it was a good discussion."
In his remarks today, Secretary Powell said, "I had a chance to convey to them the primacy of the roadmap … as the document that the sides agree upon at this moment. And it is still there, and I think it still is a basis to go forward."
State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said, "It wouldn't surprise me if, at some point [in the future], some officials at some level of the U.S. Government had some contact on some aspect of this Initiative with some of the drafters."President Bush doesn't really believe there needs to be a fence in the West Bank -- State
Tuesday, 4 November 2003
"We've made it known to the Israelis privately that, number one, the President doesn't really believe there needs to be a fence [in the Western Bank]," said State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli. "And number two, if they want to talk about a fence, they should do it in a way that does not infringe upon the lives of the Palestinian people or try in some way to prejudge the outcome of a final status agreement."The (Israeli) fence meanders around the West Bank which makes it awfully hard to develop a contiguous (Palestinian) state -- President Bush
Friday, 8 August 2003
"The (Israeli ) fence, by the way, is a reaction to days when there were terror," declared President George W. Bush. "I've said the fence is a problem because the fence is, you know -- kind of meanders around the West Bank, which makes it awfully hard to develop a contiguous state over time."World Bank approves a $12.5 million grant for an Emergency Water Project in the Southern West Bank
Tuesday, 29 July 2003
With the aim of alleviating chronic shortages of safe water supplies in the Southern West Bank, the World Bank has approved a grant of $12.5 million for an Emergency Water Project.
The project is part of a broader $75 million program, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the French Development Agency (AFD). The main benefit of the program is enhanced water supplies to an estimated 400,000 people in the Hebron Governorate including 90,000 people in Western Hebron villages.
A survey of 25 villages in the West Bank estimates that Palestinian households now spend as much as a third of their family income on water, adding further financial hardship on the Palestinian populace. Over the last 30 months, the number of poor in Palestine has tripled to over 2 million, and 60 percent of households have lost more than half of their income.
The project's objective is, "providing clean, affordable, and consistent supplies of water," said Task Team Leader and Senior Financial Analyst Suhail J.S. Jme'an. The project's components will focus on rehabilitation and improvement of water supply and distribution systems; and technical assistance and capacity building.It is very difficult to develop confidence between the Palestinians, Israel with a wall snaking through the West Bank -- President Bush
Friday, 25 July 2003
"I think the wall is a problem," said President George W. Bush. "And I discussed this with [Israeli Prime Minister] Ariel Sharon. It is very difficult to develop confidence between the Palestinians and Israel with a wall snaking through the West Bank. And I will continue to discuss this issue very clearly with the Prime Minister."
In a press conference with Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas, President Bush added "I've constantly spoken out about the end of [Israeli] settlements [in the West Bank and Gaza]. I have done so consistently."
Prime Minister Abbas said, "We remain committed to the road map and we are implementing our security and reform obligations. Security for all Palestinians and Israelis is an essential element in progress, and we will achieve security based on the rule of law. We have succeeded significantly, where Israel, with its military might, has failed in reducing violence, and we will continue."
The Prime Minister added, "Nothing less than a full settlement freeze will do because nothing less than a full settlement freeze will work. For the sake of peace, and for the sake of future Palestinian and Israeli generations, all settlement activities must be stopped now, and the wall must come down."
The President noted, "I had the [Palestinian] Finance Minister in to discuss issues with me. He told me he would put the budget of the Palestinian Authority on the web page. And he did, which means he's a man of his word. The Security Chief, [Mohammad] Dahlan, and I have had some discussions. He's a good, solid leader. And so I gain confidence in them."
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