Home Archive 14/February/2017 12:35 PM

Israel extends “Orient House” closure for six months

JERUSALEM, February 14, 2017 (WAFA) – Israeli authorities Tuesday extended the closure of the “Orient House” in occupied East Jerusalem for another six months, according to local sources.

The decision to extend the closure was issued by the Israeli Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan.

The Orient House, described as the national headquarters of the Palestinian people in East Jerusalem, was built in 1897 by Mussa al-Hussayni, a major Palestinian figure and owned by the Hussayni family since.

The house was shut down in 1988 and reopened in 1992 and became the official Palestinian political address in Jerusalem and the official body in charge of negotiating the final status of Jerusalem and headquarters for multilateral negotiations.   

According to its website, on August 2001 the Israeli Authorities illegally occupied and closed the Orient House.

“The Israeli army and police have confiscated all the computer equipment, files, data and valuable confidential information regarding issues on Jerusalem, which were intended to be used in negotiations with the Israeli government.”

Palestinians in Jerusalem affirmed the important role the “Orient House” plays in defending the city of Jerusalem and its people. They also praised the impact it left on the local, regional, international and even Israeli scenes.  

K.T/M.H

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