Cultural repression and expulsion orders
The Israeli occupation authorities continue to prevent cultural and artistic events in Jerusalem, alongside their ongoing policy of summonses and deportation orders.
On Saturday, the Jerusalem District Commander issued an order banning a cultural event at the Al-Hakawati Theater, part of the "Ambassador of Jerusalem" program. Occupation forces stormed the theater and posted the order banning the event on its door.
In a related incident on Thursday, Israeli intelligence raided the Yabous Cultural Center in Jerusalem and halted the screening of the film "36," directed by Annemarie Jacir.
The ban order states: "Under my authority and according to the 2016 Counter-Terrorism Law, and citing that the activity is linked to a terrorist organization or seeks to promote or support such activities, I am issuing an order to prevent the event."
The Yabous Cultural Center addressed the incident on its website, explaining that this measure is part of the restrictions placed on cultural activities in the city. It highlighted that, although international laws and conventions guarantee freedom of expression and cultural activities, the reality in Jerusalem often involves exceptions that specifically target cultural institutions and activities.
Meanwhile, the expulsion orders continued, with the occupation authorities handing Jerusalemite activist Aida al-Sidawi an order banning her from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque for six months.
The occupation authorities also verbally told 15 young men and women that they could not enter Al-Aqsa Mosque until they received formal written orders.
These individuals were summoned last week and given orders to stay away from Al-Aqsa for a week, with the condition that they return today to possibly renew these orders. When they arrived today, they were told the orders were not yet prepared and were warned not to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque until they received new expulsion directives. Some were advised to come back at the end of the week.
Banned from Al-Aqsa Mosque via WhatsApp messages: Decisions sent to Jerusalemites
Recently, some residents of Jerusalem were unexpectedly informed through WhatsApp messages from numbers associated with intelligence services that they are banned from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. These messages specified the person's name, ID number, and the length of the ban.
Among those banned via WhatsApp were Dr. Radwan Omar and Aida Al-Sidawi, a prominent mosque activist.
Dr. Radwan Omar addressed the ban, saying: "I received a copy of the decision via WhatsApp from an unknown number linked to the occupation police. This is unprecedented, likely due to the high volume of bans and the number of individuals affected. Previously, I had a one-week ban, subject to renewal, and went to the occupation police station in Al-Qishla last Tuesday to be summoned. After a lengthy wait, I was not provided with the extension order, but they informed me I was banned until further notice and that I would receive the official document later."
