JNF UK donates £137,000 playground to Druze village in Israel

JNF UK has donated a £137,000 playground to a Druze village on Mount Meron in northern Israel.

The new playground in the village of Beit Jann, which will include a climbing wall, is expected to open in the coming months and benefit thousands of children from the local and surrounding areas.

JFN UK, which describes itself as Britain’s oldest Israel charity, recently helped distribute an estimated 1,500 food parcels and hygiene products among the elderly as part of a joint initiative with other charities.

Beit Jann municipal council head Radi Najam, said the local area is “struggling and determined to succeed.”

“As an urban planner, I tell you, that it doesn’t make sense for Beit Jann to be lagging 35 years behind. It can’t be that we don’t have any buildings for the benefit of the public, such as a community centre,” he said.

“The playground that was set up by JNF UK will benefit thousands of children in the area. Alongside the playroom that has recently opened in Beit Jann, the children of our town and the surrounding villages will finally be able to have a good time. I see it as a great blessing that the diaspora Jews have decided to contribute to the Druze population. This is eternal proof that the blood covenant still exists,” he added.

Yonatan Galon, chief executive officer of JNF UK, said: “As Britain’s oldest Israel charity, we are proud to support the Druze community during normal times and in periods of emergency. We have been supporting all of Israel’s citizens since its creation and will continue to do so.”