Christian Aid report to the United Reformed Church
Commitment for Life programme - Occupied Palestinian Territories 2006
During 2005/06 Christian Aid made a total of £898,655 in grants for its programme in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Work focussed on human rights, health services, agricultural relief, training, education and female empowerment.
Country Context
Political:
2005-2006 has seen a notable shift in the political climate in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The departure of Ariel Sharon from the political scene and the unexpected election victory of Hamas in the Palestinian elections has had a huge impact on prospects for a future peace settlement. Many had thought the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004 would have been an opportunity to revive the peace process, but in fact we seem even further from a return to negotiations than we have been in recent years.
In the summer of 2005 Israel’s ‘disengagement plan’ dominated the news. This unilateral move, also known as the ‘Gaza pull-out plan’ was a proposal first put forward by then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and carried out in August 2005 when Israel withdrew its settlement presence within the Gaza Strip. The plan was completed in September 2005 and the disengagement from four small settlements in the northern West Bank was completed ten days later.
While the withdrawal of the military from the Gaza Strip is to be welcomed, the fear is that this withdrawal is coming at the expense of consolidation and expansion of Israel’s strategically more important settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This fear appeared to be backed up when a top Israeli government adviser, Dov Weisglass, was quoted in an interview with Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz describing the disengagement from Gaza as ‘formaldehyde’. ‘It supplies the amount of formaldehyde that is necessary so there will not be a political process with the Palestinians,’ he said.
Furthermore, Israel has maintained control of Gaza’s external borders, coastline and airspace, and is still considered ‘occupied’ under international law. Palestinians are unable to travel or trade freely, and Israel has been restricting the use of border crossings which are a vital source of medical and food supplies.
Elections
The Palestinian parliamentary elections of January 2005 saw Hamas score a clear majority in the Palestinian parliament. There had been growing dissatisfaction with the previously dominant Palestinian faction, Fatah, that had come under criticism for its corruption, inefficiency and lack of progress in achieving the Palestinians’ national goal of independence and a just settlement with Israel. Hamas also had a proven track record in providing efficient social welfare services. The charter of the Hamas movement has come under intense scrutiny from the international community, which has cut off direct aid to the (Hamas-led) Palestinian Authority (PA) – aid that pays the salaries of 165,000 public sector workers including teachers and medical professionals.
Isolated, and without aid, the PA has been further marginalised from the international community while Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert continues the unilateral policies of Ariel Sharon. Olmert has vowed to set Israel’s final borders by 2010, which will include annexation of land Palestinians had hoped would form their future state. Communication between the two sides broke down long before Hamas was elected as the majority party in the PA and it is hard to imagine how negotiations can be reached while such polarisation exists. This is a challenge European governments need to urgently address if they are to avert further bloodshed and regional and global insecurity.
Humanitarian situation:
The humanitarian situation, particularly in the Gaza Strip, continues to worsen. In the West Bank there are increasing signs that Israel is cutting the territory into three major sections, rising Palestinian fears that the West Bank will become a series of isolated parts, and therefore not a viable contiguous state. According to the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Israel has recently implemented a series of roadblocks, checkpoints and a system of permits to carry out this policy. "The big thing is that people can't go about their normal daily lives such as going to schools and hospitals," says David Shearer, head of the UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs. It's got increasingly difficult for vaccination teams to reach villages."
The EU suspends direct aid to Palestinian Authoruty
The European Union in April 2006 decided to continue its suspension of payments to the PA’s Hamas-led government because of Hamas’ refusal to accept three conditions: committing to non-violence, recognising Israel’s right to exist and accepting existing agreements. It has also called on Israel ‘to desist from any action, such as settlement activities and the construction of the separation barrier on Palestinian land, that is contrary to international law and threatens the viability of an agreed two-state solution.’
A ‘temporary mechanism’ to get aid to Palestinian institutions has been brokered which will ease some of the economic burden but bypasses the Palestinian government and will further undermine its legitimate authority.
While neither the Israeli government nor the PA has adhered to EU demands, conditionality has been imposed on the Palestinians but not on Israel. This threatens a population already struggling to cope with poverty and unemployment[1] so severe that 64 per cent live on less than £1.10 a day. It also sends out the message that democratic Palestinian elections are open only to political parties approved and sanctioned by the international community.
Meanwhile, the separation barrier is still a fact of life for Palestinian communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and illegal settlements continue to expand. During Israel’s elections, the country’s prime minister, Ehud Olmert, spoke openly of both annexing the Jordan Valley and continuing Israel’s policy of acting unilaterally. While Olmert’s plans include withdrawing from a number of smaller isolated settlements, this should be seen within the context of planned consolidation and expansion of the large settlement blocs such as Ma’ale Adumim and Ariel. The speed with which facts on the ground are changing is making the current situation even harder to navigate.
The suspension of aid is severely hampering the PA’s ability to deliver vital services, such as healthcare and education. The World Health Organisation has warned of the possible collapse of the public health system, including access to preventative programmes that would particularly affect Palestinian society’s poorest people. In East Jerusalem, for example, the Augusta Victoria Hospital has been short of funds for several months because of the PA’s inability to meet its contractual agreements. If it cannot pay its bills or its staff, the hospital – vital to Palestinians in East Jerusalem – will close, compounding an already critical humanitarian and political situation.
In addition, since Hamas formed its government in March 2006 Israel decided to withhold up to US$60 million a month in collected taxes owed to the PA – approximately half of the authority’s revenue. Dov Weisglass, one of Prime Minister Olmert’s advisers, said that, ‘The idea is to put the Palestinians on a diet, but not to make them die of hunger.’[2] Half of the Palestinian population is currently reliant on food aid.
The UN believes the proportion of those living in poverty [less than £1.10 a day] in the Occupied Palestinian Territories will have reached 74 per cent within two years[3]. This is due largely to the suspension of PA employee wages, on which a quarter of the Palestinian population depend, and to the lack of commercial activity between the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem and the outside world.
Christian Aid does not believe that NGOs should act as a substitute for the PA, whether to provide social services, run government ministries and public systems or to pay civil servants’ wages. According to the fourth Geneva Convention the duty to meet the basic needs of those living in the Occupied Palestinian Territories is that of the occupying power, namely the state of Israel.
Christian Aid's work in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories
Christian Aid supports work in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories through 30 local partner organisations. Christian Aid's partners work in a wide range of sectors, such as health provision, agriculture, food security, empowering women as well as in the field of human rights including economic and social rights. These partner organisations share a commitment to and close involvement in the communities they serve.
Christian Aid works with three sorts of partners in Israel and the OPT.
- Church-related organisations such as the Middle East Council of Churches who work with disadvantaged communities and the YMCA, who support vocational training, rehabilitation for people with disabilities, and women's training.
- Large non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS), B’Tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC). Both PMRS and PARC provide valuable services throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and also lobby for better services in their particular sector.
- Smaller NGOs such as the Culture and Free Thought Association in Gaza, or the Women’s Affairs Centre in the Gaza Strip. Groups such as these have smaller geographical remits and budgets but fill important niches in Palestinian society.
As in previous years our work has focused on combating poverty on the ground and helping to build and strengthen Palestinian civil society, which has meant supporting long-term development projects as well as emergencies. However, Christian Aid's focus has broadened to include the wider political, social and economic context in which poverty takes place, as well as addressing immediate needs.
Advocacy work:
Christian Aid’s advocacy work on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories continues to be a vital part of our commitment to challenge the structures that keep people in poverty. In 2005-2006 Christian Aid’s advocacy strategy for the Middle East included developing closer relationships with policy think tanks which are seen to have influence on government. This involved taking a delegation of policy staff from the think tank Demos to the region in October 2005, giving them first-hand exposure to the situation on the ground. Christian Aid has also started dialogue with Chatham House and the Institute for Public Policy and Research (IPPR) to facilitate exchanges and understanding.
Two parliamentary briefings were written and distributed to MPs during 05-06. The first was on the disengagement plan in July 2005 and stated:
“Christian Aid and its Palestinian and Israeli partners are concerned that the international community is seizing upon a gesture without taking into account the full picture. There is no doubt that the removal of settlements and internal checkpoints in the Gaza Strip will be of benefit to some and provide opportunities to construct social housing and develop agricultural and industrial output. But, as this briefing will discuss, progress will be limited without a true end to occupation which removes obstacles to the movement of people and goods, allows people to seek medical attention and pursue an education without harassment.”
This was followed by a parliamentary briefing in April 2006 entitled ‘Isolated and denied aid, Palestinian society faces collapse.’ The key points made in the briefing, which went to all MPs and Lords, was as follows:
- Suspension of aid to Palestinians is deepening poverty levels – the UN predicts 74% of the population living on less than £1.10 a day in two years.
- Palestinian society is on the brink of collapse, with vital health and education services at risk.
- The Quartet needs to act impartially: if conditions are to be applied, they should be done so to whichever party breaks agreed accords or international law.
The briefing paper included questions to ministers that could be used in Question Time and letters and made a number of recommendations for policy makers:
- international aid be given to those PA institutions responsible for delivering essential humanitarian services, including healthcare and education to prevent poverty levels rising further
- in line with its obligations under the Oslo Accords and Paris Protocol, Israel should immediately transfer Palestinian tax revenues to the PA and allow Palestinians free access to markets
- if conditionality has to be used then it needs to be applied impartially to whichever party breaks agreed accords or international law
- European governments, including those of the UK and Ireland, give a clear statement that only negotiations based on UN resolutions and international law, not unilateral moves by Israel, can bring lasting peace to both Israelis and Palestinians.
The work of our partners
Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee (PARC)
Christian Aid has supported PARC over a thirty year period. PARC was founded to build greater food security at household, community and national levels. Palestinian agriculture suffers from a lack of open access to markets because of the Israeli military occupation . In addition farmers are also subjected to a perennial shortage of water, as water resources are controlled by Israel. PARC focuses on rural development, environmental protection and strengthening women’s position in society in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
The ‘freeze’ in the peace process has affected the economy of the Palestinian people in various ways:
- The continued targeting of Palestinian economical infrastructure by the Israeli occupation
- The continued closure and checkpoints that increase expenditure and decrease the citizens’ opportunities to reach economic resources together with the decrease in the quality of products.
- Sharp increase in cost of living due to a rise in oil prices while income levels decrease.
- Increase in unemployment levels reached 29.4% in 2005 in comparison with 28.6% in the year 2004 (Palestinian Bureau of Statistics)
- An increase in the percentage of families living below poverty line (from 67% to 71%).
- The mismanagement of resource distribution among all sectors of the people.
Challenges in the agricultural sector:
Agriculture is one of the basic components of the Palestinian national economy and faced the following challenges in 2005:
- The agricultural contribution to local GNP reached 7% in comparison with 8.6% in the year 2004
- The agricultural sector suffered from the policies of confiscation, destruction and uprooting practices as a result of Israeli occupation.
- The continuing construction of the Israeli separation barrier contributed to the isolation of tens of thousands of dunums of agricultural lands behind the barrier. It is estimated that the level of unemployment in areas affected by the barrier reached 31%.
- The agricultural sector is facing daily losses due to Israeli checkpoints which inhibit the ability of farmers to compete.
Challenges to Palestinian society:
In the midst of occupation and lawlessness inside the occupied territories, the social security net has taken a severe blow. Examples of this are as follows:
- Community values forsaken and a rise in the use of force in solving disputes on the local level.
- The increase of theft and robberies in rural areas.
- Assaults on schools, municipalities, hospitals and public properties
- An increase in school drop-outs and its connection with child labour and child begging.
- Violation of the basic rights of Palestinian citizens in the absence of law.
- The increase in bribery due to the inability to reach resources, or imbalances in distribution.
As a result, the confidence of Palestinian citizens in the role of their government and national institutions fell back and opened space for tribalism on the account of civic society values. This explained the necessity to empower grassroots’ civil society organizations to play a major role in bonding people away from tribalism.
PARC’s achievements in 2005 compared to 2004
First Objective: Contributing to Sustainable Rural Development and Food Security
PARC’s efforts to achieve this objective remain at the top of PARC’s priorities considering the large role that agricultural plays in economy. The following table demonstrates the most prominent achievements of PARC in 2005 compared to 2004:
Implemented Activities |
Achievements of 2004 |
Achievements of 2005 |
1. Expanding farmlands and creating jobs |
-Opening and rehabilitation of 16.7 Km of roads which directly serve 35000 dunums of land and the indirect benefit of 10,000 dunums |
-Opening and rehabilitation of 20.9 Km of roads which directly serve 5,000 dunums of land and the indirectly serve 3,000 dunums |
-Levelling and reclamation of 1920 dunums of land to the benefit of 342 farmers |
-Levelling and Reclamation of 925 dunums of land for the benefit of 215 farmers, in addition to the rehabilitation of 240 dunums of damaged agricultural land to the benefit of 375 beneficiaries |
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-Construction of 107,823 m2 of stony retaining walls to the benefit of 3554 dunums of land |
-Construction of 29343 m2 of stony retaining walls to the benefit of 1175 dunums of land and 217 farmers |
|
- Plantation of 96885 seedlings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the benefit of 3668 farmers. |
- Plantation of 31,719 seedlings in the West Bank and Gaza strip serving of 793 dunums of land to the benefit of 303 farmers. |
|
-Rehabilitation of 24 dunums of greenhouses, this function assisted 22 farmers to cope with the losses resulting from the construction of the Israeli Occupation. |
-Rehabilitation of 122 greenhouses to the benefit of 128 farmers in areas that were damaged by the construction of the Wall and in the Northern Gaza Strip. |
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-Providing 57050 workdays in rural areas |
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|
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-Rehabilitation of 23 productive livestock farms to the benefit of 23 farmers |
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2. Safe practices in sustainable agriculture |
-170 farmers adopted safe agricultural practices and implemented them on 1,380 dunums of agricultural land |
-116 farmers converted to organic production with an area of 548 dunums of land, they then officially licensed the products of 243 organic farms and were given special certification of their kills and entrance to the organic production market |
3. Developing water resources for agricultural |
-Providing 39,893 cubic meters of water for different uses through various types of pools and cisterns for the benefit of 2,680 farmers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. |
-Increase in the water storage capacity (14,761 cubic meters) to the benefit of 522 farmers in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through collective cisterns, cement pools, and various types of tanks |
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-Providing 1,398 beneficiaries and farmers with different extension services |
-1914 farmers benefited from the visits of extension services |
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-Carried out 315 individual irrigation networks for the benefit of 315 beneficiaries, in addition to the construction of 9.7 Km collective irrigation networks to serve 192 beneficiaries. |
4. Enhancing environmentally friendly practices |
-Creating 16 individual waste water treatment plants, providing 1200 cubic meters of water |
-Creating 54 individual wastewater treatment plants, providing 7,000 cubic meters of water |
-Providing 6413 farmers and beneficiaries with the training required and extension services |
-Providing 3802 farmers and beneficiaries with the training required and extension services |
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5. Enhancing social solidarity |
-Providing basic food supplies to around 46,528 households during a period of 3-6 months |
Providing basic food supplies to around 108169 households between a period of 1-3 months |
6. Developing areas of auxiliary agricultural activities including marketing |
Providing logistic and training services in quality control, production, and marketing standards for 1,100 farmers, 12 agricultural organizations and women cooperatives with more than 500 members
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________________________ |
Exporting 280 tons of agricultural and food supplies through marketing channels in the field of Fair Trade Markets, where the value of exports reached 1.4 million dollars |
Marketing of 188 tons of rural products to local markets where the amount of transactions made reached $957,433 in the area of olive oil. |
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7. Building the capacities of farmers’ groups |
1,047 farmers and beneficiaries received services through a network of collective selling and buying |
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Second Objective: Capacity Building
The year 2005 was focused on providing services to women in social and economic dimensions, and in the area of building the capacity of agricultural and professional organizations, youth and community based organizations. The programs and services that PARC offer contribute to the development of the economic and social situation of women, their empowerment in reaching new resources, and occupying social positions on a larger level. In this context, 21,069 women benefited from the services of PARC in this program during 2005. 1,381 women were able to reach financial resources to assist them in improving their chances to manage their own projects especially since the deterioration of funding in this vital and important sector of Palestinian society.
Summary of PARC’s Achievements in 2005
Indicators |
Achievements of 2005 |
1. Increasing the area of lands that apply safe agricultural methods by 25% |
The additional areas in which safe agricultural methods were applied and totaled 548 dunums which is a 40% increase from last year |
2. Increasing the area of land which is ready for agricultural use by 1000 dunums and connecting 30,000 dunums with a network of agricultural roads |
Increasing the number of dunums connected to a network of agricultural roads with 925 dunums connected to 8000 dunums through agricultural roads |
3. 21,000 cubic meters of grey water is treated through individual and group treatment plants |
7,000 cubic meters of grey water were treated through individual treatments plants, in which the implementation was delayed due to a delay in funds |
4. Providing 40,000 cubic meters of water for irrigated and non-irrigated cultivation |
Providing 14,761 cubic meters of water for irrigated and non-irrigated cultivation |
5. Improving the quantity and quality of food by 2% for families that live beneath the poverty line |
Improvement in the quantity and quality of 2.9% of the families that live beneath the poverty line |
6. Maintaining partnership with 10 fair trading companies; increasing exports by 25% |
Partnership is still established with 10 companies and the quantities increase annually |
7. Increasing the volume and number of transactions of group purchasing by 25% more than the previous year |
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8. 20 gatherings and associations have designed an annual plan |
33 associations and CBO’s have plans which explain their activities |
9. 25 associations conduct elections for their references |
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10. An increase in the value of the savings portfolio 25 % and the value of credits by 20% compared with the previous years |
The portfolio were raised by 43% and the value of credits were increased by 64%, the number of credits was increased by 16% compared to last year |
11. 12 Saving and Credit Associations have administrative and financial systems |
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12. 12 Saving and Credit associations are members in a specialized union |
The union was established and the membership of 12 central associations, and meetings were organized for their references |
13. Number of women that reached the decision making role in their societies |
18 women reached the membership of local and municipal councils |
14. Number of gatherings that their nominees reached the decision making role in their societies |
39 gatherings were able to elect their members to local and municipal councils |
15. Number of agronomists who were able to find work after training |
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16. Decreasing the administrative costs by 1% |
Not achieved |
17. Number of developmental experts that were contracted to implement development and consultancy services from outside of the organization increased to 15 |
Number of experts that were contracted with/offered their expertise to Palestinian/Arabic organizations to 14 experts |
18. Increase of the organizations funds by a 5% from last year |
The funds were increased by 11.46%, and most of the funds served the 2006, and other periods. |
Looking towards 2006/2007:
The year 2006 will introduce huge changes to the lives of Palestinians. Accordingly, PARC is waiting to see what changes will come about within the political and economic situation.
On the internal level PARC’s board of directors and executive departments are aiming at further empowering the organization and raising the skills of its employees with ultimate use of available resources, in addition to developing its information systems. PARC will also stay committed towards supporting its beneficiaries and in developing its public awareness work.
PARC hopes to continue building up a better image of non governmental work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories through its relations at the local, regional and international levels.
The Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA)
Christian Aid partner CFTA, was set up in 1992 to improve the lives of children who live in Khan Yunis, one of the poorest refugee camps in the Gaza Strip. Today it runs community activities for children, young people and women, including the Shuruq wal Amal ( Sunrise and Hope) Centre for children and Bunat Al Ghad (Builders of the Future) Teenagers’ Centre.
There is 80% unemployment in the Khan Yunis camp, which has led to problems such as domestic violence and depression among its occupants. The camp is also a stronghold of militant activity, which makes it a particularly dangerous environment for children. Many children suffer acute psychological effects of the occupation, ranging from nightmares and bed-wetting to aggression. CFTA helps children with anger management and teaches them traditional Palestinian dances and music, football, singing, art, and lots of interactive games. Their summer clubs give hope to young children and a safe environment in which to be expressive, creative and behave like children.
Christian Aid supports the Bunat Il Ghad Teenagers’ Centre
The centre focuses on providing psychological support for teenagers through different programs such as Drama and Therapy, painting expression classes, and handicrafts. The average number of teenagers visiting the centre on a daily basis is around 75 on average of which 45% are girls.
The centre accepts children aged 12-17 and there are different activity rooms:
- Computer Room
- Library
- Courses in Music and Palestinian dance
- Painting and Crafts – Last year a workshop in how to use mud, stones, and the other different recycling materials was organized. 50 of the teenagers participated in the workshop on different days; they produced artistic works which are displayed at the ongoing exhibition in the centre.
- Teenagers’ Parliament Activities – The parliament makes decisions about the centre and holds workshops about community participation, communication and conflict resolution.
- Sports – Training in Martial arts is conducted three days a week. There are two football teams and a table tennis team.
- Video and Photo Training – The centre organises video production workshop to give teenagers the opportunity to enhance their skills.
- Scientific Laboratory – The science lab has basic equipment like a small refrigerator and a microscope and facilitators organise workshops on sex education, hygiene and various illnesses.
- In addition to these activities the centre organises special cultural, social, and sport events and facilitates a teenagers’ parliament.
In 2005 the teenagers held a conference on children’s rights and lack of access to education for Palestinian children. The themes of the conference were the importance of self-expression, how to differentiate between good and bad and boys and girls, how children do not live the life they deserve and that girls are neglected.
The recommendations the teenagers were making was that the government should support children’s rights and activities, children should have more opportunity to talk about their needs, they should have more resources, and families should give children a chance to express themselves.
The conference was to be a precursor for a seven-month collaboration with UNRWA on children’s rights. 30 boys and 30 girls were taking part in the conference and discussing Islamic rights, women, children and human rights.
Some attendees of Bunat al Ghad have lost their lives in the current intifada and in the main hall there are display cases each dedicated to a particular young person who has died. The cases contain personal artefacts belonging to the child and something related to their death such as football shirts stained with blood, bullet-riddled clothes and singed notebooks.
Bunat al Ghad has different ways of approaching post-traumatic stress disorders and has therapeutic games such as intricate domino sculptures that are created with the intent of destroying them and rebuilding them. This is to ease the psychological impact on those who have had their homes demolished. “It’s a psychological exercise to show that even though your home has been demolished, it can be rebuilt,” the director of the centre explained.
Parents’ Circle: Bereaved Families Forum
Parents’ Circle is a network of bereaved Israelis and Palestinians who have lost a close family member to the conflict. The Forum members believe in putting an end to occupation; termination of hostility and in achieving a political settlement agreed upon by all sides by means of reconciliation and communication between the two peoples and through mutual consideration and respect of each others' national and legitimate aspirations.
The long-term goals of the Families Forum are to promote reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian societies. The Families Forum aims to play a crucial role in spearheading a reconciliation process between Israelis and Palestinians. Such a process will allow both sides to come to terms with past suffering. The reconciliation process will provide a firm basis for the difficult measures a future agreement will include, by recognising responsibility of both sides for the past. By allowing both Israelis and Palestinians to come to terms with the consequences of the escalating violence, both sides will begin to change their beliefs, which are at the root of the conflict.
Work in 2005-06
In 2005-2006 Parents’ Circle conducted a number of projects including developing an extensive educational program intended for high school students. The Families Forum conducted almost a thousand lecture meetings in high schools last year. For many of the participants the meetings allow them to meet a bereaved parent or family member for the first time. Given the potential for extreme views, the members of the Forum prove to be the most effective promoters of peace and reconciliation. By describing their own personal loss and their unwillingness to avenge, they encourage the students to begin the long process of transforming their own feelings of suspicion, fear and even hatred towards the other side. Trained Parents’ Circle members share their stories and approach to the conflict, and encourage questions and open debate of the issues. Parents Circle usually try to send an Israeli and a Palestinian member to each school.
In 2005 Parents’ Circle held a pilot seminar for youth leaders in order to bring together young people from both sides of the divide who are keen to be active on the issue. They also launched a series of 'Reconciliation Workshops in the Community' for adults and policy makers. 30 workshops were held as planned in 2005-06 which involved remote villages, extremists, and leading figures in society, participating in single nation audiences and with either a same nation facilitator or one from both. 75 workshops are planned in each of the following two years.
Other activities include:
Telephone line 'Hello Peace' placed 806,785 phone calls in the last 3 years. Parents’ Circle are planning an upgrade to the system and a large media campaign in 2006 to promote this service which connects callers from both sides of the conflict.
Members have participated in an increasing number of worldwide events – over 25 in 2005 – and a similar schedule is planned for 2006. A Summer Camp (the third one to be held by Parents’ Circle) took place in 2005 for member families' children – over 60 Israeli and Palestinian children attended.
Sarah Malian
Communications Officer – Middle East
Christian Aid June 2006
[1] UN OCHA Special Focus report: Emerging Humanitarian Risks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, January 2006
[2] http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0227/p17s01-cogn.html
[3] UN, Assessment of the future humanitarian risks in the occupied Palestinian territory, 11 April 2006
