Al-Sharqawi: Morocco's Commitment to Support Jerusalem and Palestine Continues

SadaNews - The director in charge of managing the Al-Quds Fund, Mohamed Saleh Al-Sharqawi, renewed today, Wednesday, his confirmation of Morocco's ongoing support for the city of Jerusalem and its inhabitants.

Al-Sharqawi stated in press remarks that the agency's presence in Jerusalem is a daily and continuous presence, embodying the Kingdom of Morocco's historical and steadfast commitment, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, the President of the Al-Quds Committee, towards the Palestinian cause, and its keenness to support the Palestinian people in various circumstances, especially in light of the current economic and social challenges.

He cited as an example the annual Ramadan operation that continues in Jerusalem and its suburbs, which adopts an integrated approach combining direct humanitarian support and sustainable development to assist the Palestinian residents in these difficult circumstances that the holy city is experiencing.

Al-Sharqawi explained that the "Great Ramadan Operation" represents a comprehensive annual humanitarian program aimed at supporting needy families and meeting their basic needs during Ramadan, in addition to supporting the resilience of the population in the current circumstances, noting that this operation includes several parallel interventions.

He indicated that the program includes providing direct food assistance through food baskets and shopping vouchers "coupons," which grant beneficiaries the freedom to shop from accredited stores within their neighborhoods, in addition to organizing medical campaigns targeting Bedouin gatherings and villages in the governorate that are difficult for their residents to access health facilities.

Al-Sharqawi added that the operation also included organizing training workshops for traders and craftsmen, as part of the agency's direction towards supporting productive sectors, especially trade, tourism, and services, which contributes to enabling youth to create sustainable income sources.

He emphasized that the agency's work in Jerusalem does not only focus on immediate assistance related to seasonal demands but primarily concentrates on projects that leave a long-term impact on the lives of Jerusalemites, asserting that support for economic sectors is a priority within the agency's work plan for 2026, as it serves as a lever to achieve social stability and strengthen the resilience of Jerusalem residents.

He pointed out that the economic and social situation in Jerusalem and the rest of the Palestinian territories remains concerning and is becoming more difficult, which necessitates continued efforts to support the population in various conditions, confirming that the agency continues to stand by the Palestinians in times of adversity as well as in days of prosperity.

In a related context, Al-Sharqawi noted that the exceptional circumstances facing the city, including the restrictions imposed on access to Al-Aqsa Mosque and the closure of the Old City, have negatively impacted economic activity and increased the suffering of traders and residents.

He explained that the integrated Ramadan operation targeted supporting five thousand families, including three thousand within the city of Jerusalem and two thousand in the villages of the governorate.

He confirmed that this mechanism is not limited to supporting families but also contributes to stimulating economic activity and creating a commercial cycle within the Jerusalem community, benefiting local traders.

He added that the agency is also working to provide about 20,000 hot and cold iftar meals throughout the month of Ramadan, which has created temporary job opportunities for young volunteers, as well as employing several women in meal preparation within kitchens and charities, thus providing additional income sources for families in light of the difficult living conditions.

He clarified that a large number of Jerusalem families have lost their sources of income, especially those working in sectors linked to the local market, amid rising living costs and taxes, asserting that the agency seeks, within its capabilities, to alleviate these burdens and enhance the resilience of the population.