Jerusalem:Israeli authorities have shut down the Sons of Jerusalem Club located in the Sa'diya neighborhood of the Old City of Jerusalem. This action was taken under an order issued by the far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the Jerusalem Governorate has stated that the closure is part of a new initiative aimed at Palestinian national, sports, and social institutions in Jerusalem. The governorate emphasized that this move is part of a systematic policy to restrict the Palestinian presence in the city.
The Sons of Jerusalem Club, a long-established institution in the Old City, plays a significant role in providing a space for young Jerusalemites, promoting their sports, social, and national engagement. The governorate described the targeting of the club as an attack on an institution that serves an essential role in the local community.
Furthermore, the governorate highlighted that this decision is part of a broader Israeli escalation involving the targeting of Palestinian national institutions and activities in Jerusalem. This includes closures, persecution, and restrictions, which, According to governorate, aim to undermine Palestinian institutional and community life and further limit the spaces available to Jerusalemites for sports, cultural, and social activities.