Washington, D.C., August 2, 2006 -- The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today announced the donation of $45,000 for Palestinian humanitarian relief, with grants going to Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem, St. Luke's Hospital in Nablus, and the Washington, D.C.-based United Palestinian Appeal (UPA). ATFP launched an appeal in May 2006 to collect donations for urgent humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people. ATFP will donate all funds it raises from the Palestinian Humanitarian Appeal to medical facilities in the West Bank and Gaza.

Two donations of $20,000 each were made to Al-Makassed and St. Luke's Hospitals. Medical directors from both hospitals provided ATFP with lists of desperately needed surgical equipment. The donation to Al-Makassed Hospital will go to purchase orthopedic equipment; to include an Elan-EC surgical drill, a Macro-line pistol drill, and several required attachments. The donation to St. Luke's Hospital will go to purchase obstetrical supplies and equipment, to include an ultrasound machine, fetal monitor, packheater, surgical suction unit, vacuum extraction package, birthright delivery bed system, fetal monitoring paper, reusable abdominal belts, fetal belt buttons, and ultrasound gel. In addition, ATFP donated $5,000 to UPA earmarked for medical supplies for Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

Al-Makassed and St. Luke's Hospitals and UPA are institutions of impeccable credentials and integrity. ATFP consulted the relevant US government authorities regarding the donations and was assured by these officials that the donations are consistent with the policy of the US government to encourage non-governmental organizations to provide humanitarian aid to independent Palestinian institutions. ATFP also contacted regional officials and is assured there will be no bureaucratic impediments in Israel or Palestine to proceed with the donations.

ATFP will continue to collect donations for the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund and, with your continued support, hopes to raise a total of $100,000 for several medical facilities in the West Bank and Gaza. During this time of crisis, ATFP will distribute all funds raised by the appeal to hospitals with a desperate need for assistance.