Civil Society

Ford Foundation Reaches Agreement with Representative Jerrold Nadler and U.S. Jewish Leaders

Answers Concerns about Foundation's work in the Palestinian Territories

New York, N.Y. - November 18, 2003. The Ford Foundation reached an agreement today with U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) that responds to his and American Jewish leaders' recent concerns over Ford work in the Palestinian territories. The agreement was lauded by Nadler and a number of Jewish leaders as "important and concrete."

"We appreciate the Congressman's leadership in working with us to resolve these issues and in helping us to reach out to those who have expressed concerns," said Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation. "We believe these actions are clear steps toward building common ground and a common understanding. The intent of our work is to foster moderate voices, promote democratic values and support institutions devoted to advancing peace and security in the region."

The agreement is described in a news release by Representative Nadler. The action steps taken by the Ford Foundation are detailed in a letter from Berresford to the Congressman.

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The Ford Foundation is an independent, nonprofit grant-making organization. For more than half a century it has worked with courageous people on the frontlines of social change worldwide, guided by its mission to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement. With headquarters in New York, the foundation has offices in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.