Before an international agency called the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, Israel presented a number of projects to improve Palestinian quality of life.
During the September meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the Israeli delegation to the committee presented projects that Israel is promoting in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip for the benefit of all residents, with an emphasis on the Palestinians.
The main objective of these projects is to maintain regional stability and to generate economic development.
The AHLC is a 15-member international committee that serves as the principal policy-level coordination mechanism for development assistance to the Palestinians.
The participating Israeli delegation included Minister of Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi, the IDF’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai and other senior Israeli officials.
During the conference, Mordechai presented various projects Israel is promoting in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip. Members of the Israeli delegation presented proposals on how the international community can contribute and assist in several of these important projects, which will significantly improve Palestinian quality of life and boost economic growth.
The projects include an improved cellphone network, an enhanced water supply system, the establishment of a Palestinian industrial zone in Tarqumiyah and water desalinization in Gaza.
COGAT is charged with coordinating, organizing and assisting civilian projects in the region. These projects include electricity, water and sewage infrastructure, Palestinian employment, and border crossings.
Ultimately, the stated objective of such COGAT activities is to improve the Palestinians’ quality of life, and thereby bring stability and prosperity for the benefit of all.
COGAT’s activities proceed in a complex period during which the Palestinians reduced their security coordination following recent Arab violence in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria, actions that have made it difficult for Israel to maintain a stable relationship with the Palestinian side. Recent events have also had major negative implications for Palestinian residents.
At the same time, the Palestinian side continues to pay salaries to imprisoned and released terrorists who carried out terrorist attacks against Israelis, COGAT stressed.
“As for the Gaza Strip, the energy and electricity situation is worsening, and even the amount of flowing water has been reduced. Instead of dealing with these problems, the Hamas terrorist organization continues to deteriorate the situation and exploit the Gazans for its terror activity.”
“Nevertheless, Israel continues to promote vital projects in Judea and Samaria and the Gaza Strip in order to maintain stability, meet the needs of the local population and bring economic development to the entire region,” COGAT stated.
By: United with Israel Staff
(With files from COGAT)