Minister Bibeau concludes trip to Israel and the West Bank and announces new support for vulnerable Palestinians
The Voice of Canada News :
Canada is committed to addressing the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable Palestinians while advancing the cause of peace, including by supporting the Palestinian people to build the social and economic conditions necessary for a two-state solution.
Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development, concluded her visit to Israel and the West Bank. The Minister announced that Canada is contributing over $50 million in new support for Palestinians, focusing on urgent humanitarian needs and on economic growth that works for everyone.
Canada’s assistance will respond to the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable groups in the West Bank and Gaza – particularly women and girls. Canada will provide $12.65 million to respond to food security, health, protection, and economic needs, as well as to support survivors of gender-based violence. Canada will also provide $37.7 million to increase economic opportunities for Palestinians, particularly women and youth, by supporting their economic empowerment, entrepreneurship and employment.
While in Israel, Minister Bibeau reinforced Canada’s steadfast and longstanding support for Israel during meetings with representatives of the Israeli government and Israeli civil society. A dialogue with Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation emphasized common interests in supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in developing countries. Discussions also focused on the humanitarian and security situations in Gaza. Minister Bibeau underlined Canada’s commitment to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
During her visit to the West Bank, Minister Bibeau met with Dr. Rami Hamdallah, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, to discuss bilateral development and humanitarian initiatives in the West Bank and Gaza.
Minister Bibeau also visited a number of projects funded by Canada in the West Bank and met with beneficiaries of these projects, as well as representatives of implementing partners. These partners reiterated their commitment to addressing the urgent needs of Palestinians.
Quotes
“Today’s announcement of new funding will help meet the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable Palestinians and reflects the priorities of our Feminist International Assistance Policy: humanitarian action, economic growth that works for everyone, and empowering women and girls. In addition, Canada and Israel will continue to work together on initiatives in developing countries.”
– Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development
Quick facts
- Canadian foreign policy objectives in the Middle East are the foundation for international assistance programming in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
- Canada provides significant assistance to Palestinians in the areas of humanitarian assistance, growth that works for everyone, and inclusive governance, while also advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
- Palestinians face a long-term humanitarian crisis, resulting in almost one in two Palestinians requiring some form of humanitarian assistance. Palestinians also face unemployment rates that are among the highest in the world, with women and youth particularly affected.
In 2012, Canada and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding on International Development Cooperation to promote joint development assistance activities that benefit developing countries.
