CURE hopes to begin performing surgeries at the 65-bed hospital in Bethlehem by Christmas of 2009. The hospital is expected to perform about 2,000 surgeries and see 10,000 patients in its first year of operation.

"This cardiac and orthopaedic hospital fills a major need in the West Bank where medical care is severely limited," Harrison said. "We are encouraged by the great support we've already received from both the Israeli and Palestinian governments who understand and appreciate our mission to bring healing to the suffering children in the region."

The state-of-the-art hospital represents the first private U.S. investment in the health care system of the West Bank. It will focus on providing neurosurgery, plastic reconstructive surgery, and pediatric orthopaedics for children with physical disabilities.

Since opening hospitals in Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates over the last two years, CURE has embraced a vision of building bridges of understanding in the Muslim world. To that end, it is cooperating with Muslims and Jews to operate the hospital and partner with Lifegate, which provides rehabilitation services for disabled children and adults.

"The Bethlehem hospital is unique in that it is bringing together three faith groups to build a facility of healing in a very volatile region," said Harrison. "Christians and Muslims will serve together at the hospital and will receive additional training at some of the leading hospitals in Jerusalem, including Hadassah and Schneider."

"The CURE hospital will be well-received by all people," said Salah Al Tamari, governor of Bethlehem. "In Bethlehem, we set the example for co-existence. Bethlehem is not just a holy place. It is a message -- a message of peace, tolerance, freedom, and acceptance of all people."
CURE International is committed to sharing the Gospel with hospital patients. Since 1996, it has seen 700,000 patients and performed 48,000 life-changing surgeries. It has an established presence in eleven developing countries and is currently planning to build hospitals in four more countries, including Palestine. If you would like to support the new hospital in Bethlehem, click 
https://www.kintera.org/site/c.nvI1IeNYJyE/b.4834821/k.E19D/Help_Cure_Bethlehem/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?c=nvI1IeNYJyE&b=4834821&en=rlLVK4MQJeKOI3MSJiKPJ7N1JvL1IfN4JlJRL9OTKfJZJnNaF