Press release

Ramallah, West Bank – Representatives of the Palestinian Justice System and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated the successful conclusion of the five-year NETHAM (“Order”) Rule of Law program in the West Bank and Gaza in Ramallah on October 28, 2010.  Palestinian Authority (PA) Chief Justice Farid Al Jallad, PA Minister of Justice Ali Khashan, Head of the Palestinian Bar Association Mr. Ali Muhanna, Director of the Palestinian Judicial Institute Judge As’sad Mubarak, Dean of Al Quds University Law School Mr. Mohamed Shalaldeh, and USAID Mission Director Mike Harvey participated in a close-out event to celebrate the program’s achievements.

USAID’s $14 million NETHAM Rule of Law program, implemented by DPK Consulting, a division of Associates in Rural Development (ARD), Inc, began in October 2005.  Under the leadership of Program Director Nabil Isifan, and in cooperation with the Palestinian High Judicial Council (HJC), the PA Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the Palestinian Judicial Institute (PJI), the PA Ministry of Education, Al Quds University Law School, and Palestinian civil society organizations the program strengthened the Rule of Law in the Palestinian territories and among Palestinian society, a key element in building the foundation for a future Palestinian state.

The many accomplishments achieved through the NETHAM program include:

• In partnership with the High Judicial Council, the program rehabilitated the facilities and upgraded the services of Notary Public Departments throughout the West Bank.  As a result, public satisfaction with the more efficient notary services rose from 50% in 2008 to 93% in 2009.

• Together with the High Judicial Council and the Ministry of Justice, the first Palestinian Judicial Institute was created to address concrete training needs and build judicial skills of over 500 judges and other judicial staff.

• The program helped improve the services provided by the Palestinian Authority Justice Records Office in order to increase public confidence and address public concerns regarding lengthy processing of routine certificates.  As a result, 93% of the users expressed satisfaction with the upgraded services

• The program supported a legal education program with Al-Quds University School of Law, including new courses, a computer lab, an enhanced library, and renovated classrooms. 

Since 1994, USAID has provided more than $3.3 billion in U.S. economic assistance to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.  USAID coordinates closely with the Palestinian Authority to support projects that reduce poverty, improve health and education, build infrastructure, create jobs, and promote democracy and good governance.