JERUSALEM, February 3, 2010 (WAFA)- The U.S. Department of State sponsored a two-week visit to the U.S. focused on human rights and democracy for a group of 30 high school students from Gaza. 

Two separate groups of 15 girls and 15 boys were selected because of their outstanding performance in their human rights classes at UNRWA schools in Gaza.  Along with their teachers, the students visited Atlanta; Washington, D.C.; and New York City.

While in Atlanta, the students met with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, visited the Martin Luther King Center, and participated in discussions on conflict resolution, human rights, and democracy.  In Washington, D.C., the students received a tour of the White House and Capitol Hill, saw a concert at the Kennedy Center, and had dinner with American high school students and their families.  In New York City, the students met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and saw a Broadway musical.

U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem Daniel Rubinstein met with the group upon their return to discuss their impressions of the United States.  Consul General Rubinstein congratulated them, saying, “I hope your experience in the United States will help you as you become the future leaders of an independent Palestinian state.”

The United States is UNRWA’s largest bilateral donor.  Its total contribution to UNRWA in 2009 was $267 million, including over $116 million to its General Fund, $30 million to its Lebanon Emergency Appeals, and $119.5 million to its West Bank/Gaza Emergency Programs.