Israeli forces prevent the launch of a cultural and tourism project in Khan al-Tankiz in the Al-Qataneen Market in Jerusalem
Israeli intelligence and police prevented the launch of the "Gateway to the Living Heritage of Old Jerusalem" project on Monday. The event was set to be held at Khan al-Tankiz in the Al-Qataneen Market within Jerusalem's Old City.
Israeli intelligence and police forces raided Khan al-Tankiz just before the ceremony, disrupting the event. They confiscated several participants and organizers' identity cards and carried out interrogations on-site.
The forces cleared the area before placing a notice on the main gate of Khan al-Tankiz prohibiting the event.
The event was organized by the Jerusalem Tourism Cluster in partnership with Al-Quds University's Center for Jerusalem Studies. It featured the graduation of the "You Are in Jerusalem" group, which is part of the "Interactive Interpretive Heritage Narrative" program.
The Israeli police stated that the ban was issued based on an order restricting activities in Jerusalem, citing the reason that these actions are "sponsored or organized by the Palestinian Authority."
The raid led to the detention and arrest of several individuals, such as Dr. Yousef Natsheh, director of the Jerusalem Studies Center, Jerusalem-based artist Hussam Abu Eisheh, and Hassan Al-Lawzi.
The ban coincides with ongoing Israeli restrictions on cultural and heritage activities in Jerusalem, which include preventing events and persecuting organizers based on claims and orders that prohibit any activity linked to the Palestinian Authority within the city.
