A joint initiative of the Palestinian Bible Society, the Bible Society in Israel and the Arab Israeli Bible Society.
While war and killing continues and politicians are entrenched in their positions, or lost and helpless, we strongly feel that we have a responsibility to be a blessing to our peoples in the name of Christ. Towards that goal we submit the following joint initiative which is also an expression of our unity in Christ. The initiative below includes relief and Scripture programmes in Gaza and Israel. The relief part is made of immediate emergency needs and post-war aid and restoration.
Love Your Neighbour/Comfort My People
1- Immediate Emergency Humanitarian aid to needy Gaza families:
To provide Gaza families with food coupons and financial help so they can receive some food and basic needs from nearby or home-based groceries. Bible Society staff in coordination with the different churches and local partners in Gaza will oversee this ministry.
400 families x 280$ = $112,000
There are around 50 Gazan families who are currently displaced due to the war and are living in the West Bank; they will be included in this aid program as follows:
50 families x500$ x 4 months = $100,000
Total = $212,000
2- Post-war Humanitarian aid:
Through this initiative, in coordination with relief organizations, churches, civil society initiatives, we will help needy families with:
1- Help 100 families with 300$ each for 6 months
2- Provide food, clothing, and medicine for another 300 families according to the need
3- Temporary housing and shelters
4- Arrange a post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) programs and initiatives for traumatized children of Gaza
5- Assist financially and in different other ways some Christian and Muslim families who lost their beloved ones during the war
Fund: $500,000
2- Hospital and medical support: Hospitals in Gaza are working under severe circumstances and acute shortage of medical supplies. Through this initiative we aim to:
- Coordinate with the Israeli authorities and the UN and Red Cross the entry of medical supplies to hospitals
- Medical supplies to be donated by medical relief organizations (assistance and access to those is needed)
Logistics: $5,000
3- Contribute two intensive care ambulances to Gaza A&E departments
Cost/donors
4- Post-war traumatic relief assistance to Israeli kindergartens, primary school children, disabled and elderly population in the south of Israel who had been living in shelters and under the fear of rockets.
Through this initiative, in coordination with relief organizations, churches and civil society initiatives, we will support and take part in post traumatic stress (PTSD) programs. Examples are: educational and stress relief bus trips to places and activities in Israel, arrange for meetings by believing youth group that will come and sing or play.
Fund: $100,000
Scripture Relief
1- Messiah and Mercy: publish and distribute 100,000 copies of the psalms with red letter reference to messiah promises. These will be mainly distributed in south Israel and to soldiers.
$120,000
2- God is our Refuge: publish and distribute 100,000 copies of the booklet (God is our Refuge and Strength) in different formats (digital or booklets) in Hebrew and Arabic to the Palestinians and to the Israelis.
$ 70,000
3- Christ for All: Good news ads on Israeli buses and in Palestinian newspapers and billboards and on local news websites. These verses will draw the public’s attention to place their hope in God the Father and to turn to His word for comfort and salvation.
$ 50,000
4- Cry Out to Jerusalem: To place at the entrance of the Bible Society in Israel on Jaffa Road the fountain books shop in the Old City of Jerusalem a multi media screens displaying verses which convey God’s heart and concern for the people of Israel. (ex. Hosea 1:7.)
$30,000
5- Love your Children: Publish child – parent books in Hebrew and Arabic communicating Scripture stories and values which parents can read and help their children understand and deal with issues of war, peace, violence, pain, and reconciliation.
$75,000
6- Initiate and launch website in Hebrew and Arabic in which we share stories of mutual sufferings, hope and restoration in Christ.
$ 30,000
7- Produce a DVD program in Arabic and Hebrew teaching about forgiveness, reconciliation and accepting the other, it can be broadcasted on TV stations
$ 20,000
