For Immediate Release
Press Release
Hebron - Today, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) West Bank and Gaza Mission Director Amy Tohill-Stull visited IZDEHAR for the signing of an agreement between USAID’s Building Regional Economic Bridges (BREB) activity and IZDEHAR Animal Feed. The support for IZDEHAR Animal Feed includes financial and technical assistance to enhance the facility’s operational efficiency. As a key component of USAID’s Partnership for Peace Fund under the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA), BREB promotes economic cooperation between Palestinian companies and the private sector in Israel, the broader region, and in the United States.
Founded in 2019 by a group of development-driven investors, IZDEHAR collaborates with private sector investors, donors, and financial institutions to strengthen the Palestinian economy. One of its flagship projects, the IZDEHAR Animal Feed factory, stands as the largest concentrated animal feed facility in the West Bank. This ambitious venture not only aims to boost livestock growth but also strives to enhance economic cooperation and address the West Bank’s trade deficit. By partnering with IZDEHAR, USAID is fostering an exchange of technology and expertise to significantly improve the quality of animal feed products, promoting business-to-business export engagements, and facilitating funding through the United States International Development Finance Corporation.
With BREB’s support, IZDEHAR Animal Feed is set to produce more than 23 feed mixtures at a production capacity of 60 tons per hour. This factory aims to supply up to 60 percent of the West Bank market and up to 10 percent of the Israeli market, create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, enable livestock growth, and drive long-term economic growth. Under this agreement, BREB will facilitate Good Manufacturing Practices certification and membership to an international feed production regulating body, enabling sales in Israeli, Saudi Arabia, and other regional markets.
“USAID has been an invaluable partner for the IZDEHAR,” remarked Basel Alqadi, CEO of IZDEHAR. “Their support in securing funding, building partnerships, and ensuring compliance with international standards has been instrumental. With USAID's help, we are poised to meet market demands, drive economic growth in the West Bank, and contribute to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”
Mission Director Amy Tohill-Stull underscored USAID’s unwavering commitment to regional development, stating, “By backing transformative projects like this, we are reaffirming our dedication to economic development, technological innovation and transfer, and regional stability. Our goal is to build bridges between Palestinians and Israelis, as well as regional economic connections that advance sustainable peace.”
USAID is committed to advancing the long-term development goals of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza while continuing to address ongoing humanitarian needs in Gaza. To learn more about USAID’s work in the West Bank and Gaza, visit https://www.usaid.gov/west-bank-and-gaza.