News Release
American Bible Society I 1865 Broadway
New York, NY 10023
Contact: Autumn Black
Director of Public Relations
American Bible Society
(212) 408-1215
ablack@americanbible.org
New York, NY,
January 23, 2009
In a region marked by strident division and violence, the American Bible Society is joining together in an unprecedented initiative of three leading Middle East Bible Societies to deliver much needed help and hope to the victims of the recent Gaza Strip violence. A survey conducted on January, 22nd determined that 89% of people in the area have not received aid to date. The United Nations has openly urged such organizations to begin their efforts as soon as possible.
This humanitarian aid project, a joint effort between the American Bible Society (ABS), Palestinian Bible Society (PBS), the Bible Society in Israel (BSI), and the Arab-Israeli Bible Society (AIBS) has been given an open door to deliver emergency medicine, food supplies, temporary housing, and spiritual encouragement to those on the ground in Gaza. In conjunction with PBS, BSI and AIBS, the American Bible Society will help to provide 100,000 Psalms Scripture portions in South Israel and 100,000 Scripture booklets in Arabic languages for Palestinians and Israelis. The project will also use multi-media and digital messages on the Internet and DVD that may reach up to 50,000 people.
Labib Madanat, Development Director and team leader of the three Bible Societies involved states, "We can't miss this opportunity. The need is so immense. There is not a better time for us to express the forgiveness, blessings and love of Jesus. I see this horrible situation as the appropriate way to respond to Gaza. We have no political agenda in anything we do, but it is the will of God for us to love our neighbors, whether Palestinian or Israeli, Muslim or Jew."
Dr. R. Lamar Vest, newly elected president of the American Bible Society adds, "It is our urgent prayer that our efforts to meet the needs of Gaza's people will succeed and that the Bibles we supply will give rise to a hope that lasts."
Since December 2008 the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has dramatically affected the lives of hundreds within an ongoing zone of hostility. The fighting has killed more than 1,000 Palestinians - including 300 children - and 13 Israelis. Up to 1 million people are living in Gaza without basic necessities and some are surviving without food and water. With causalities mounting on a daily basis, the need for relief is great and the American Bible Society and United Bible Societies are pledging support to bring hope to those in need of Scripture in Gaza and Israel, seeking to contribute to the immediate recovery as well as longer term redevelopment and reconciliation efforts.
As an Arab Palestinian Christian seeking to express the love of Jesus Christ to both sides, Madanat recently visited a hospital in Bir Sheva "to offer prayers and words of blessing" to wounded Israeli soldiers. Perhaps as an indicator of the future, the Israeli soldier's father stood and replied in Arabic, "Thank you. This is the way to live".
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Founded in 1816 and headquartered in the City of New York, the mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all people may experience it's life changing message.
To learn more about the American Bible Society involvement in the efforts in the Gaza strip visit: gaza.americanbible.org
The United Bible Societies (UBS) is the collective name for a fellowship of 145 individual Bible Societies working in over 200 countries and territories. From wherever and however they operate, Bible Societies all share the mission of placing the Word of God in the hearts and minds of the people they serve.
