Jerusalem: The Jerusalem Governorate has issued a warning concerning the potential consequences if the Israeli government approves a project next week to establish a colonial heritage center at the former Jerusalem International Airport in Qalandiya, located north of occupied Jerusalem.
According to Palestine news and Information Agency - WAFA, the project has been initiated by Israel's Minister of Heritage, Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, aligning with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, a significant Israeli military operation in Uganda in 1976. The proposal suggests the center will be housed in the airport's historic reception building, originally built during the British Mandate and later expanded under Jordanian administration. Following the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967, the airport remained functional until its closure after the Second Intifada erupted.
The initiative aims to convert the site into a heritage, tourism, and educational hub that promotes the Israeli narrative in Jerusalem. This includes restoring the airport's historic buildings, notably its passenger terminal, and setting up exhibitions that showcase the history of aviation and what Israeli authorities describe as the "history of settlement" in northern Jerusalem. This area is referred to by the occupation as the colonial settlement of "Atarot," established on land owned by Palestinians.
Furthermore, the project plans to feature a pavilion dedicated to Yoni Netanyahu, the brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who lost his life during the operation. It will also include sections detailing the operation, which Israel regards as one of its landmark military endeavors.
Israeli data indicates that the project's planning phase is projected to cost around 3 million shekels, with funding sourced from the Israeli Ministry of Heritage's budget approved for 2026.