October 1999
Cooperation between MASHAV and the Palestinians (institutional and
non-institutional bodies) is receiving special attention due to
recognition of the importance of this element to the support and
advancement of the peace process, helping to improve the atmosphere
between the two peoples and strengthening the ties between professionals
on both sides. Lately, with the acceleration of the political process, we
are witnesses to increased joint activity with the Palestinian Authority
(PA) in particular, and in the region in general.
This activity naturally requires careful planning, and many factors -
political, cultural and logistical - must be taken into consideration and
adapted to the emerging new reality. This is the reason for the emphasis
on the content of the programs, as well as on our partners in their
implementation.
Our main activity vis-a-vis the PA continues to be development of direct
contact with the ministries responsible for planning and training
(Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Agriculture, Labour,
Environment). As a result, an ongoing dialogue exists between MASHAV and
PA decision-makers, and between Israeli and Palestinian experts. The
degree of involvement on the part of the upper echelon of Palestinians is
an indication of the importance with which they regard our activity, and
has led to a marked increase in the number of people participating in
MASHAV courses in Israel. Furthermore, a professional, even close, network
has developed with our colleagues in the various ministries. Following are
details of some of MASHAV's activities:
In 1995, only 72 Palestinians participated in MASHAV courses in Israel; in
1996 - 280; in 1997 - 700; in 1998 - 820; and in 1999 - 650 Palestinians
have participated so far this year.
The years 1997-99 were a turning point in the scope of training
activities, the diversity of subjects and the number of branches dealing
with them. During these years, MASHAV activities focused mainly on
agriculture, cooperation, rural development, medicine and public health,
management, science and technology, education, environment, the role of
women in developing countries and conflict resolution.
Training Activities in the Field of Agriculture
We have established a direct channel of communication with the Minister
and Deputy Minister of Agriculture. In 1998, we developed an annual work
plan in cooperation with Palestinian representatives and according to
criteria presented by them; however, because of the political situation,
most of the activity was frozen. With the change of Administration in the
Ministry of Agriculture, the new Minister of Agriculture renewed the
contact with MASHAV, and a new joint work plan was prepared for 1999,
which includes 8 courses (until now, 6 courses were given).
Recently, we have been working with the Egyptian and Jordanian Agriculture
Ministries to examine the idea of integrating lecturers from those
countries into the agriculture courses intended for the PA.
Training Activities in the Field of Health
In this field we operate through the PA Ministry of Health and two PA
NGO's: The Palestinian Council for Health and the Red Crescent. We devote
most of the resources to developing the capabilities of the PA Health
Services System, public and private, as well as contributing to the
existing infrastructure.
The Tubas-Jaba Project:
A professional Israeli/Palestinian team created a program for developing
community health service, particularly preventive medicine, in the
villages of Tubas-Jaba. The purpose of the project was to train
Palestinian professionals working in Mother-Infant Clinics and to develop
the appropriate infrastructure. Today, the project is in the third and
final stage: the training of the clinic directors.
Annual Training Program on the Subject of Trauma: For the first time, intensive training courses were given at Hadassah
Hospital for a Palestinian contingent from the Red Crescent (Gaza), which
facilitated the development of cooperation on the subject between the
Israeli and Palestinian teams.
Cooperation between El Amal and Barzilai Hospitals:
Following the 6-month training program developed by MASHAV and the Red
Crescent (headed by Dr. Fat'hi Arafat) for training doctors, nurses and
maintenance staff at El-Amal Hospital (located in Khan Yunis), it was
decided to upgrade the hospital's trauma unit. The training program is
being carried out concurrently at El Amal and Barzilai Hospitals.
Trilateral Cooperation Agreements with Donor Nations
An agreement was signed this year between Israel-Belgium-PA, together with
Al Quds University, on the subject of epidemiology. An agreement was
signed in 1998 for cooperation between Israel-Great Britain-PA to train
doctors from Ramallah Hospital at Hadassah Hospital.
Employment:
A training program for employees of the PA Ministry of Labour on the
subject of safety and hygiene in the workplace was implemented in
conjunction with the Swedish Government over a period of two years.
Society:
For the first time, a Center for Prevention of Drug Abuse was established
to help the local population in Gaza. The program was implemented jointly
with Al Quds University and the Government of Great Britain, among others.
MASHAV provided training courses to professional Palestinian teams (from
Gaza and the West Bank), as well as donating suitable equipment.
In addition to agriculture and health, the following subjects have been
added: development of small and medium enterprises, management of
voluntary organizations and young leadership (Civil Society), training of
nature reserve rangers and tourism inspectors.
Projects
A demonstration farm for raising sheep was established in the Jenin area,
a joint project with an estimated cost of $250,000.
Research
In the framework of cooperation between Israel and Holland (NIRP Fund), 11
studies were carried out during 1998 together with Israeli and Palestinian
universities.
Regional Cooperation
Regional Agricultural Program: on the initiative of the Danish Government,
it was decided to establish a multilateral program with Egypt, Israel,
Jordan and the PA, for a period of three years, which would include
training, project and research elements and would be composed of regional
experts.
Symposium on Management of Water Sources:
On the initiative of the Swedish Government, a symposium on the subject
was held in March in Beer Sheba, with the participation of researchers
from the PA, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Sweden, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The
symposium was such a success that another meeting of experts is being
planned for the fall of 1999.