Overview
The land of Israel and Palestine, or the Holy Land as it is also known, is located in the Middle East and is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. This region has been a crossroads of civilization for thousands of years. Christian and Muslim Palestinians as well as Jewish Israelis have ties to the land because of their Abrahamic roots and monotheistic faiths. World Vision uses the term Jerusalem-West Bank-Gaza to describe this area in which the organization works.

In 1987 the first Palestinian uprising (“Intifada”) began and lasted until 1993. With help from the international community, the Israeli and Palestinian leadership signed a peace treaty in 1994, renewing hopes of a peaceful resolution. Confidence eroded during the mid-1990s as both sides contributed to a breach in trust. The Israeli settlement program expanded substantially as settlers moved into Palestinian territories. Palestinians grew disillusioned by the control over their movement and access between their towns and villages. Suicide bombings carried out by Palestinian militants increased during this time period as well.

The peace treaty finally collapsed in September 2000, and a second Intifada ensued with greater violence. In January 2006 the Palestinian elections resulted in a surprise victory for the Hamas party. Israel, the United States, and the international community immediately boycotted the new government, cutting off all official aid.

World Vision’s Work
World Vision began working in the region in 1975. Gradually the work expanded, and World Vision now works in 10 area development programs (ADPs) in the Palestinian territories, serving more than 325,000 people. The work in these ADPs is based on World Vision’s principle of serving the poorest people. The areas served are poor and suffer from severe underdevelopment. Some programs have been conducted within the state of Israel, and research is being conducted into the needs of Bedouins in the Negev (southern desert) area. However, the region’s main sites of severe poverty are all located in the Palestinian territories.

Through the years, violence initiated by both sides has claimed the lives of many. More than 800 Palestinian children and over 100 Israeli children have been killed in the last seven years of conflict. “The Separation Barrier” (or “Security Fence”), which Israel built to protect its citizens from attacks, has had a detrimental effect on Palestinians. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been cut off from their property, from their agricultural land and from each other. This has affected their ability to earn a living and has adversely impacted basic services such as access to schools and hospitals. In its concern for both sides, World Vision has made many statements advocating for the cessation of violence for the sake of Israeli and Palestinian children. The organization continues to seek partnerships with those groups working for redemptive change for all the people of the land with an aim to end suffering and build a better future. Currently, more than 15,500 children receive the benefits of child sponsorship; nearly 9,000 of these boys and girls are sponsored by U.S. donors.

World Vision began working among the people of the Jerusalem/West Bank/Gaza region in 1975, focusing on the well being of children; replacing outdated medical equipment and improving surgical services; and also enabling impoverished children to attend summer camps. Later in the 1980s and early 1990s World Vision also promoted literacy and provided free legal services to poor families. World Vision continues to minister to the Palestinian people, ultimately working to create an environment where peace can exist for the next generation of children.