jerusalem.usconsulate.gov Consulate General of the United States J...

Consulate General of the United States Jerusalem - HOME Consulate NewsU.S. Citizen ServicesVisas to the U.S.U.S. Policy & IssuesResources Consulate Highlights $500 million U.S. Initiative Helps Palestinians Live the “American Dream” of Home Ownership In a ceremony in Ramallah today, President of the U.S. Government’s Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Robert Mosbacher, Jr. launched an initiative to provide up to $500 million for a residential mortgage loan program to support the expansion of affordable housing for Palestinians. The ceremony which marks the latest of U.S government assistance packages to Palestinians was attended by the Palestinian President Abbas, Prime Minister Fayyad and U.S. Consul General Jacob Walles. “Mortgage finance that is both affordable and accessible is a vital engine for home ownership and economic growth,” Mosbacher said. (more) Latest Headlines From the Consulate Secretary Rice:Travel to the Middle East, March 28-31, 2008 Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to support their ongoing bilateral dialogue and the serious effort underway to achieve agreement this year on the establishment of a Palestinian state, living side by side with Israel in peace and security. On March 30, the Secretary met with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who agreed on concrete steps to implement the Roadmap. This is a program that will improve the daily lives of Palestinians and help make Israel secure. Israel has pledged to reduce the impediments to access and movement in the West Bank. This will begin with the removal of about 50 roadblocks and immediate steps to upgrade checkpoints to reduce waiting time without sacrificing security. Both sides also agreed that the Palestinian Authority security forces in the West Bank should assume greater responsibility. Prime Minister Fayyad and Defense Minister Barak agreed to begin by bringing ne...