JERUSALEM, October 2, 2007, (WAFA) – The European Commission office in Jerusalem said the European Commission (EC) started paying social allowances to over 35,000 Palestinian families in the West Bank(WB) and Gaza Strip(GS).

In co-operation with the Palestinian Ministries of Finance and Social Affairs, a total of €6.5 million (NIS 35.75 million) is made available by the EC through the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM).

The office pointed out that each beneficiary will receive NIS 1,000 (€185). The payment is being made to impoverished households, often headed by women and that include elderly or family members with special needs.

More than €500 million (NIS 2.75 billion), including a total EU contribution of €485 million (NIS 2.67 billion), have been made available to all components of the TIM in support of the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza.