In April of 2021, Friends of Roots Board Member Steven Longden launched a campaign to raise donations for West Bank Palestinians living below the poverty line during the month of Ramadan. 100% of the funds raised were used to purchase supermarket gift cards in order for the recipients to be able to buy food for Eid al Fitr.
“The focus of this campaign is to provide funds for Eid ul Fitr to Palestinian leaders and activists who are working incredibly hard against all the odds to create a better future for their People. These are the members of Roots, the Palestinian-Israeli grassroots initiative for understanding, non-violence and transformation, whose vision is a new social and political reality that is founded on dignity, trust and a mutual recognition and respect for both people's historic belonging to the entire land. For seven years, Roots has been breaking down barriers between Israelis and Palestinians, transforming enemies into mutual respecting partners, creating a more equitable presence and laying the groundwork for a future of justice, reconciliation, equality, freedom and security.
75% of Palestinians taking park in Roots' projects are living under the West Bank's poverty line. This campaign has been established to alleviate some of this poverty, following the Islamic tradition of promoting compassion, charity and solidarity, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.”
