The Jerusalem Governorate warned today, Thursday, of an anticipated approval by the Israeli government for a project to establish a settlement heritage center on the land of the abandoned Jerusalem International Airport in the town of Qalandiya, north of occupied Jerusalem.
This project, initiated by Israeli Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Entebbe military operation carried out by the Israeli army in Uganda in 1976 to rescue passengers from a plane hijacked by Palestinians.
Details of the Project
The project involves establishing the center within the historic reception building of Jerusalem International Airport, which was built in 1920 during the British Mandate period and later expanded by the Jordanian administration before being taken over by Israel following the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967.
The aim of the project is to transform the site into a "heritage, tourism, and educational center" that promotes the Israeli narrative in Jerusalem by rehabilitating the airport buildings and creating exhibitions that address the history of aviation and what Israel refers to as the "history of settlement" in the "Atarot" area built on Palestinian land north of Jerusalem.
Background & Context
The history of Jerusalem International Airport spans decades, as it was the only air port in the West Bank until 1967, when Israel occupied the West Bank. After the occupation, the airport was converted into a facility for a few domestic flights and was permanently closed in 2000.
The airport features a runway, a control tower, and a reception hall, but has been neglected since its closure. The Israeli government had previously decided to establish a settlement comprising 9,000 settlement units on the airport's land, reflecting ongoing Israeli efforts to Judaize the city.
Impact & Consequences
The Jerusalem Governorate indicates that the plan includes a special wing to commemorate "Yoni Netanyahu," the brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was killed during the Entebbe operation. This move is part of efforts to reinforce the Israeli narrative surrounding historical events, which heightens tensions in the region.
The planning phase of the project is estimated to cost around $1 million, expected to be funded from the approved budget of the Ministry of Heritage for 2026. These plans reflect Israel's continued implementation of settlement projects despite international criticism.
Regional Significance
These steps are considered part of an Israeli strategy aimed at Judaizing East Jerusalem and erasing its Arab and Islamic identity. Palestinians view these projects as a threat to their historical rights in the city, emphasizing the need to preserve Palestinian identity.
While Israel insists that Jerusalem, in its entirety, is its capital, Palestinians maintain that East Jerusalem is the capital of their hoped-for state, based on international legitimacy decisions. This divergence in perspectives reflects the depth of the ongoing conflict in the region.