JERUSALEM, Saturday, June 01, 2019 (WAFA) - Representatives of the European Union (EU) joined more than 150 Palestinians for a Ramadan Iftar, breaking the fast at sunset, at Burj al Luq Luq Social Center inside Jerusalem’s Old City. The event involved EU partners in East Jerusalem and beneficiaries of EU projects in the city.

An EU press release said 34 kindergarten kids accompanied by their families attended the Iftar together with 50 football and basketball players from Burj al Luq Luq Society Center. The Iftar was followed by a number of cultural activities and performances.

The Iftar event also gathered EU partner organizations working on EU funded projects in East Jerusalem, under the EU East Jerusalem Program. Burj al Luq Luq is one of the partners, who has collaborated with the International Committee of the Development of Peoples (CISP) on an EU-funded project to foster socio-economic empowerment and protection of vulnerable Palestinian communities in East Jerusalem.

The EU Head of Cooperation Alessandra Viezzer said: “We are happy to share an Iftar with our partners from the Palestinian civil society in East Jerusalem and this amazing group of lovely children and promising Palestinian athletes. Our work in East Jerusalem demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the Palestinian character of the city and supporting the Palestinians in East Jerusalem facing a tough reality.‘‘

The EU is committed to support projects in East Jerusalem to reinforce the resilience of Palestinians in the occupied city. The EU funds this activity under the EU East Jerusalem Program, a multi-sectoral investment that has grown to over 12 million Euros annually and covers areas ranging from education to health; social inclusion to private sector development; community empowerment to human rights.

Through this program, the EU has worked consistently with Palestinian partner organizations to support the development of a vibrant and diverse civil society in East Jerusalem, said the press release.

M.K.