Jerusalem needs over $1.5 billion to meet development needs, says Palestinian ambassador

The occupied Palestinian city of Jerusalem needs more than $1.5 Billion to meet development requirements so that it can become the capital of the independent state of Palestine, said Abou Marwane, Palestine's ambassador in Morocco who was appointed by King Hassan II general manager of the Jerusalem Fund last July during the 17th session of Jerusalem committee held in Casablanca.

In an interview with the Moroccan daily Assahra Al-Maghribya, the Palestinian diplomat said that since 1948, the Palestinian part of the city has not developed, unlike the Jewish part which is enjoying a particular interest.

For half a century, the city has been suffering from a lack of institutions offering services to the Palestinian people.

He added that since it started operating last October, the fund, set up in 1995 by Jerusalem committee, has received a total of $1.1 million from receipts of a play performance by Egyptian comedy star Adel Imam and a donation from local officials in Casablanca.

He added that Morocco is the only country which has so far financially contributed funds and that Lebanon has set up a commission to raise funds. He added that embassies of Islamic countries in Morocco are ready to hold campaigns to encourage governments to contribute money to the fund.

Early this month, the Jerusalem Fund received more than $1 million (10.007 Mln D) in a donation operation conducted by the Moroccan Airports Office "ONDA."

The Jerusalem Fund was set up to counteract Israel's schemes to obliterate the Arab and Islamic characteristics of the city.