In an interview broadcast on Saturday on the program “Nahar Jadid” on Radio Sawt Filastin, Cherkaoui explained that this connection has manifested through waqfs, historical monuments and the Moroccan human presence in the city, adding: “When we defend the rights of Palestinians to this land, we are also defending our own rights as Moroccans.”
Regarding his regular visits to Jerusalem, he noted that they fall within the framework of royal instructions calling on the Agency to continue its efforts for the Palestinian residents of the city throughout the year, particularly during the month of Ramadan, through large-scale social assistance campaigns.
He explained that the Agency has launched, on this occasion, a series of social, health and economic initiatives, along with a parallel program aimed at consolidating national identity and strengthening the resilience of Jerusalem’s residents.
He added that the institution’s action is not limited to a specific period. In 2025, around 8 million dollars were invested in social projects covering education, health and building restoration, particularly in the Old City, which is facing growing challenges.
In the same context, Cherkaoui referred to the organization of the “Moroccan Traditional Crafts Week” in Jerusalem, with the participation of Moroccan artisans who came to train local youth in several trades, including weaving, wood carving and silver engraving.
He described the results as “impressive,” announcing that some participants will be selected for three-week training internships in Morocco at major craft centers in order to further develop their skills and transmit their know-how according to a “train the trainers” approach.
This initiative forms part of the “Civil Initiatives for Human Development” program, which aims to help beneficiaries launch income-generating activities rather than depend on occasional aid.
Addressing the difficulties faced by artisans in Jerusalem, he acknowledged that Palestinian products currently face competitiveness challenges due to the high cost of production and raw materials, as well as restrictions on movement and commercialization.
The Agency seeks to overcome these obstacles by adopting a new marketing strategy under the label “Made in and Made for Palestine,” aimed at supporting local production and expanding markets, particularly through e-commerce and participation in international trade fairs.
He noted that the Agency has acted as the “first client” for some of these productive initiatives in order to encourage artisans, while products from Jerusalem have already been exhibited abroad to strengthen confidence in investment and online sales.
Cherkaoui also pointed out that the Agency’s resources remain limited, as its funding relies solely on Morocco. He specified that it has not received any financial support from Arab or Islamic countries since 2011, despite its status as an institution mandated to coordinate aid destined for Jerusalem.
He added that Palestinians hope other states will follow Morocco’s example, which stands out notably through its ownership of real estate in the Old City, the construction of schools funded by Morocco, and the implementation of health projects including hospital services and laboratories in several institutions.
Finally, he recalled that the Agency operates according to the principle that “little but constant is better than much but intermittent,” affirming that it will continue its mission of development and economic empowerment in order to strengthen the resilience of Jerusalem’s residents and preserve the city’s civilizational identity despite complex security and economic conditions.
Editorial team/le7tv