Jerusalem: Minister of Culture Imad Hamdan strongly denounced the Israeli occupation forces’ extension of the detention of Mahmoud and Ahmed Mona, owners of the Scientific Library in Jerusalem, which serves as an important cultural and historical edifice for intellectuals and the people of the city.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, Hamdan stated that the attack on the Scientific Library, which included storming its branches and confiscating several books bearing the Palestinian flag or those labeled as “incitement materials,” represents a violation of cultural rights and an assault on freedom of thought and expression.
He emphasized that this assault is part of a systematic policy to restrict Palestinian cultural institutions in occupied Jerusalem, aiming to erase the Palestinian national identity and silence the cultural voice of Jerusalem. This attempt is seen as a way to distort national awareness and impose the occupation narrative.
Hamdan declared, “We, at the Ministry of Culture, condemn this dangerous escalation, and demand the immediate release of Mahmoud and Ahmed Mona, and the return of all seized books without any conditions.” He urged the international community and human rights organizations to take responsibility for these repeated attacks on cultural institutions in Jerusalem.
He reaffirmed that Palestinian culture will remain steadfast despite attempts at obliteration and targeting, asserting that Jerusalem will continue to be the capital of Arab and Palestinian culture. He stressed the commitment to work with national and international institutions to protect Palestinian cultural heritage and to enhance cultural movement in the face of oppressive occupation policies.
Hamdan concluded by expressing solidarity with the Scientific Library and all Palestinian cultural institutions, affirming that such attacks will not deter efforts to support culture and national identity in Jerusalem and across the homeland.