Event Summary
On 17 February 2026, the Israeli authorities closed the Burj al-Luqluq Community Association in occupied East Jerusalem for six months. This action is considered an attempt to undermine the Palestinian community work in the city, despite the association being officially registered, operating in accordance with the law, and carrying out educational, cultural, sports, and social activities serving thousands of children, women, and youth in Jerusalem.
The closure decision will affect 300–500 direct beneficiaries who rely on the association, which represents one of the broadest community initiatives within the Old City of Jerusalem and serves as a vital center in the lives of local residents. Its activities include comprehensive sports, cultural, and educational programs, women’s empowerment initiatives, strengthening national identity, and support for local businesses, in addition to operating a kindergarten, computer lab, life skills programs, and a pottery workshop.
This event is not isolated from the broader context of the Israeli occupation’s actions affecting cultural and community institutions in Jerusalem. In the same week, Israeli occupation forces raided the headquarters of the Yabous Cultural Center and delivered a summons ordering the center’s administration to appear for questioning at an interrogation center. These actions undermine the respect and protection of fundamental civic freedoms, including the right to form associations, and deteriorate a supportive legal and regulatory framework that enables associations to operate.