JERUSALEM, May 7, 2026 (WAFA) – The Jerusalem Governorate has warned against the consequences of the Israeli government's approval next week of a project to establish a colonial heritage center at the site of Jerusalem International Airport in Qalandiya, north of occupied Jerusalem.

In a statement, the Governorate said that the proposed colonial heritage center was initiated by Israeli government's Minister of Heritage, Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Operation Entebbe, the Israeli military operation in Uganda in 1976.

The statement added that, according to the proposal, the center would be established in the airport’s historic reception building, which was constructed during the British Mandate and expanded during the Jordanian era, before falling under Israeli occupation following the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967. It remained in use until its closure following the outbreak of the Second Intifada.

The project aims to transform the site into a heritage, tourism, and educational center that serves the Israeli narrative in Jerusalem through the restoration of the airport’s old buildings, particularly the historic passenger terminal, and the creation of exhibitions documenting the history of aviation and what the occupation authorities call the "history of settlement" in the northern Jerusalem area, which the occupation refers to as the colonial settlement of "Atarot," built on Palestinian-owned land.

The project also includes a special pavilion to commemorate Yoni Netanyahu, the brother of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was killed during the operation, along with sections displaying details of the operation, which Israel considers one of its most significant special military operations.

According to Israeli data, the planning phase of the project is expected to cost approximately 3 million shekels and will be funded from the Israeli Ministry of Heritage's previously approved 2026 budget.

Y.S