The occupation prevents the Silwan Club's 60th anniversary celebration and arrests its president, Ahmed al-Ghoul
By order of Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the occupation authorities banned the 60th anniversary celebration of the Silwan Sports Club in the town of Silwan, claiming that the event was funded by the Palestinian Authority.
The occupation authorities posted the ban signed by Ben-Gvir on the door of the club's headquarters. The text of the ban read: "There is an intention to hold a conference sponsored by the Palestinian Authority without a written permit," indicating that the decision is based on the so-called "Law Implementing the Central Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza Strip/Limiting Activities/1994."
In implementing the decision, the occupation authorities arrested the club's president, Ahmed al-Ghoul, from his home in the town.
The Silwan Club's media committee explained that this decision is part of a series of Israeli measures aimed at preventing any institutional or community activity in the city of Jerusalem. The committee emphasized that the Silwan Club is a legally registered association that complies with all official and financial requirements, and that what happened falls within the escalating Israeli targeting of Jerusalemite sports and social institutions.
The committee added that the club's activities are funded by European Union projects and partnerships with local civil society organizations. It emphasized that the club receives no financial support from the Palestinian Authority, and that the ban and arrest are part of ongoing Israeli policies to undermine Jerusalemites' presence and obliterate the city's cultural and sports landscape.
In the evening, the occupation authorities released Ahmed al-Ghoul on the condition that the club be closed for three days and that the anniversary event for the club's founding be banned from the entire city of Jerusalem.
