My Marshall Plan for the West Bank

Microfinance loans help small businessmen create jobs, which is good for everyone.

The US Marshall Plan, after World War II, helped rebuild Europe, creating jobs and preventing extremism.

I've been encouraged to help out via microfinance loans in the West Bank of Palestine, by people from the governments of the US, Israel, and Palestine. This is "public diplomacy", a kind of service to the community.

Looks like the best way to do this is with Kiva.org, a great umbrella microfinance group. On the ground, we work with CHF International, which has an outstanding record helping people across the world.

We've already had some results, helping some small businessmen in the West Bank, with more to come.

For more, check out the official announcement on chfinternational.org. (Will try to get exact link later.)

Did I say this has the support of all three governments involved?

Comments

[viagra online]

I like the micro loans, and watched a program some time ago on TV where they showed how micro loans helped folks, I believe it was in Africa begin tiny businesses.

[buy viagra]

I've been encouraged to help out via microfinance loans in the West Bank of Palestine, by people from the governments of the US, Israel, and Palestine. This is "public diplomacy", a kind of service to the community.

[Jake]

The key difference is that the Marshall Plan was AFTER WW2.

How effective would the Marshall Plan have been if it was used instead of US troops to end the war? Perhaps about as effective as all of the billions of aid already sent to oPt.

This ain't WW2, but it is a political conflict and should be treated as such.

[Chris]

I was thinking about the same how to provide loans for poor business people in Gaza who seem to be suffering from the blockade. I hope this works out great and hopefully we can provide loans through Kiva for entrepreneurs in Palestine region.

[twodogkd]

I like the micro loans, and watched a program some time ago on TV where they showed how micro loans helped folks, I believe it was in Africa begin tiny businesses.

Those loans were in the range of $300 I believe.

Also agree with helping out the Palestine folks. It seems that like the Israelis, those folks just want a place to live and a way to make a living.