Brussels, 10/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 9 January, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) held a conference in support of the “Heart for Peace” organisation, an initiative bringing Israelis and Palestinians closer together. The aim of the programme is to allow Palestinian children suffering from congenital malformation of the heart to be operated on in the Israeli Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.
Since the programme was set up three years ago, 102 children have undergone free operations and had their lives saved. “80% come from Gaza,” said association President Muriel Haïm. Israeli doctor Azaria Haïm said that another of the association's aims was to train Palestinian doctors, so that they could diagnose cardiac malformation and provide post-operative care. “In the future, we will need the help that our Israeli neighbours can give us,” said Palestinian doctor Salim Hibrahim.
French MEP Philippe Morillon said that this initiative was a clear sign of hope. “ALDE's role,” he went on, “will be to urge the Commission to look closely at this association and provide it with funding commensurate with what it is doing, even if that means adding a budget line”. (L.B.S.)