CRS urges Americans to act for peace in the Holy Land

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CRS urges Americans to act for peace in the Holy Land
May 3, 2007, Baltimore, MD - Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is calling on Americans of all faiths to voice their support for a just peace in the Middle East that will guarantee security for Israel and a viable state for Palestinians. Only a dramatic change in the political situation – initiated by active U.S. engagement in the peace process – can help alleviate suffering in the Holy Land and protect human dignity.

“The humanitarian crisis is unacceptable,” said Tom Garofalo, CRS Country Representative for Jerusalem/West Bank/Gaza. “Nearly half of Palestinians don’t have reliable access to food, one in four Palestinian workers is unemployed, and others are working but not being paid because of economic sanctions and basic services like health and education have been severely compromised.”

Garofalo will be in the U.S. from May 7 through May 18 to educate church and political leaders about the humanitarian crisis and help engage them in the peace process.

The United Nations reports two-thirds of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza – two million people – now live on less than $2 a day and rely on humanitarian assistance to support their families. More than 500 checkpoints and obstacles in the West Bank, an area the size of Delaware, impede freedom of movement. The Separation Barrier, when finished, will enclose 274,000 Palestinians and block 400,000 others from their fields, jobs, schools and hospitals.

“CRS will continue to provide aid to those in need in the Holy Land,” said Garofalo. “But the real end to suffering here will only come about through peace and a lasting two-state settlement. Palestinians, and all the people of this region, need to feel secure and be able to look to the future with confidence.”

CRS, in support of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s (USCCB) Campaign for Peace in the Holy Land, an interreligious peace effort among Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders, is urging Americans to:

• Educate themselves about the humanitarian crisis and on the issues affecting peace for Israelis and Palestinians in the region;
• Encourage their members of Congress to support verifiable step-by-step commitments towards a viable, independent, democratic Palestinian state alongside a State of Israel with peace and security for both peoples;
• Urge others to communicate their support for this appeal to their Senators and Representatives;
• Pray for peace

CRS has been working in the Holy Land for more than 40 years. The agency provides emergency food assistance to a combined 150,000 people in the West Bank and Gaza and also supports education, job creation and youth development programs. Inquiries about the Campaign can be directed to peaceintheholyland@crs.org.

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