Israel plans heritage centre at ex-Palestinian airport
Israeli authorities are set to approve a $1 million Jewish heritage centre at the abandoned Jerusalem International Airport in occupied East Jerusalem. Palestinians view the move as another step in the ongoing Judaization of the city, erasing its Arab and Islamic identity.
The Israeli government is expected to greenlight a proposal next week to convert the defunct Jerusalem International Airport in occupied East Jerusalem into a Jewish heritage centre. According to Israeli Channel 7, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu’s plan, with a budget of 3 million shekels (approximately $1 million), will be discussed during a cabinet meeting. The funds have already been allocated under the 2026 Heritage Ministry budget.
Historical background of the airport
Originally established in 1920 and used by British Mandate authorities from 1924, the airport officially opened to regular flights in 1936. Before Israel’s 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, it served as the sole airport in the territory. After seizing the site, Israel operated it as a limited domestic airport before permanently shutting it down in 2000. The abandoned terminal building is now slated for restoration.
Settlement expansion and international law
The heritage centre proposal follows earlier Israeli plans to build an illegal settlement of 9,000 housing units on the same airport grounds. Palestinian officials accuse Israel of systematically intensifying efforts to Judaize occupied East Jerusalem through settlement expansion and displacement policies. The international community and the United Nations consider East Jerusalem part of occupied Palestinian territory, and all Israeli settlements there are deemed illegal under international law.
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