2009 Press Releases
Palestinian Authority and US Government Inaugurate New Public Library in Beit Jala
July 30, 2009
Jerusalem
Bethlehem Governorate – Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Salam Fayyad together with US Consul General Jake Walles and USAID Mission Director Howard Sumka helped the town of Beit Jala inaugurate a new public library on July 30, 2009. The project was identified as a priority by the community through a participatory process to meet the demands of Beit Jala’s growing student population.
The PA Ministries of Culture and Finance contributed $150,000 in assistance and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) contributed an additional $300,000 to the project. The Beit Jala municipality donated the land, supplied books, furniture and equipment, and will maintain the new facility.
US Consul General Jake Walles stated that “This library was identified by the community as a key priority, and I applaud you for making it a participatory process.”
The PA and the US will also help inaugurate a new park in the Bethlehem Governorate village of Al Khass on July 30. The 4-dunum park consists of a children's play area, water fountain, family seating area with a cafeteria and lavatories, and a swimming pool. This park helps fulfilling the recreational needs for 33,000 residents of Al Khass and the surrounding villages. USAID contributed $187,000 for the project.
Since 1993, USAID has provided more than $2.5 billion in US economic assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza via projects designed to improve health and education, improve water services and infrastructure, create jobs, and promote democracy and good governance.
For more information please contact the U.S. Consulate’s Press Office at 02-622-6908 or 02-622-6909 or Hassna Dajani at 054-678-8455.
