The Palestinian Authority is reaching out to Jerusalem Arabs with a string of gifts aimed at raising political support in Israel's capital city. The PA has taken a number of steps lately aimed at strengthening its claim to much of the capital city, among them holding political events in Jerusalem and sending PA police to patrol in neighborhoods such as Atarot and Beit Hanina.
Jamal Juarish of Fatah reported this week that PA Prime Minister Salad Fayyad has set aside large sums of money to assist Arab families in Jerusalem. Much of the money will go to the families of Arabs killed or wounded while fighting Israel or imprisoned for terrorist activity.
In addition, Juarish said, the PA plans to distribute 10,000 backpacks and sets of school supplies to needy Arab families from Jerusalem. The PA is also funding festive evening meals for patients in Arab hospitals in Jerusalem – and in the Al Aksa Mosque -- for the duration of the Ramadan holiday.
The PA is also overseeing food distribution projects in Jerusalem run by the Red Crescent with funding from the United Arab Emirates.
Arabs living in Jerusalem are officially residents of the capital city, and as such, are entitled to aid from the Israeli government.
Funding for PA projects comes from the international community, primarily the European Union, the United States, and Arab Gulf states. The PA receives billions of dollars in aid per year but remains with a budget deficit.
As PA leaders divert aid to Jerusalem's Arabs, the PA-linked Yasser Arafat the Martyr Foundation is planning a conference on Jerusalem to be held in Morocco in late October. The conference will take place in cooperation with the Moroccan government, said Foundation director Nasser al-Kidwa.
Public figures from the United States, Europe, and the Arab world have been invited to the gathering. The meeting will focus on Arab life in Jerusalem.