PRESS RELEASES

U.S. Consul General Welcomes Palestinian Mayors to Jericho Conference

Press Release

May 9, 2007

Jerusalem

For Immediate Release 

Twenty mayors from municipalities in the West Bank and Gaza gathered Wednesday to discuss challenges facing their local governments and to develop recommendations to improve service to their communities.  The conference, which is supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was opened by the U.S. Consul General Jacob Walles. 

During the two-day meeting, the mayors will look for ways to better respond to the basic service delivery needs of their communities.   

The conference is implemented by CHF International under USAID’s Local Democratic Reform Program, which encourages municipal leaders to work together with constituents to identify local priorities and create plans to meet those needs. 

Since 1993, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have received more than $1.7 billion in U.S. economic assistance via USAID projects to combat poverty, improve health and education, create jobs and promote good governance. 

For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate’s Press Office at 02-622-6908 or 02-622-6909 or Public Affairs Officer Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm at 054-678-8456.