RAMALLAH, February 11, 2024 (WAFA) – 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 is an important cultural and historical edifice serving intellectuals and the people of the city.
Hamdan said that the blatant attack on the Scientific Library, storming its branches and confiscating several books bearing the Palestinian flag, or those arbitrarily classified as "incitement materials", represents a blatant violation of cultural rights, an assault on freedom of thought and expression,
He also added that this assault on the Library is a continuation of the systematic policy of restricting Palestinian cultural institutions in occupied Jerusalem, stressing that these occupation practices aim to obliterate the Palestinian national identity and silence the cultural voice of Jerusalem, in a desperate attempt to distort national awareness and impose the occupation narrative.
Hamdan stressed, "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 further called on the international community and human rights and cultural organizations to assume their responsibilities towards these repeated attacks on cultural institutions in Jerusalem.
Hamdan added that Palestinian culture will remain steadfast despite all attempts at obliteration and targeting, and that Jerusalem will remain the capital of Arab and Palestinian culture, stressing the commitment to work with national and international institutions to protect the Palestinian cultural heritage, and to enhance cultural movement in the face of the oppressive policies of the occupation.
Hamdan concluded, "We stand by the Scientific Library and all Palestinian cultural institutions, and we affirm that these attacks will not deter us from supporting culture and national identity in Jerusalem and all parts of the homeland."
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