May 18, 2007

The Jewish Agency for Israel has received $2 million in emergency funding to bring children from Sderot and surrounding areas to a week-long camp in the center of Israel.

The Sderot area has come under regular attack this week from Palestinian rockets fired from Gaza.

JAFI Chairman Zeev Bielski announced the initiative Friday. The funds were donated by the United Jewish Communities, UIA Canada and Keren Hayesod.

"Just as we did in the North during the war in Lebanon last summer, the Jewish Agency and our partners the UJC, UIA Canada and Keren Hayesod are here to help the residents of Sderot and surrounding areas who are under attack and living under impossible conditions," Bielski said.

JAFI on Wednesday brought a group of 250 children and teens to the Israel soccer championship in Tel Aviv. The following day, the agency delivered a truckload of shelter supplies to Sderot residents.