Plans for New Police Station in Jerusalem's Old City
The Israeli occupation police have announced plans to construct a new three-storey police station on Al-Wad Street, near Bab Al-Hadid in the Old City of Jerusalem. This development comes as the police have requested permits from the Israeli District Planning and Building Committee to initiate construction. The proposed site is currently vacant and is adjacent to the 'Beit Al-Hanan' building, a warehouse seized by the occupation in 1991.
The establishment of this police station has raised significant concerns among local residents and experts. Fakhri Abu Diab, a Jerusalemite researcher, emphasizes that building a police station in such a vital area, close to Al-Aqsa Mosque, poses a threat to the mosque's accessibility and security. He warns that the increased police presence is likely to facilitate tighter control over the mosque, potentially leading to escalated tensions during security incidents.
Abu Diab further suggests that the Israeli authorities may be aiming to impose a Judaization agenda on Al-Aqsa Mosque, necessitating more detention and investigation facilities nearby. He highlights that the new police station could serve not only as a security facility but also as a possible settlement outpost, with plans for the third floor to function as a monitoring center for Al-Aqsa Mosque and its surroundings.
This proposed construction is seen as part of a broader strategy to alter the architectural landscape of the Old City, increasing the number of buildings utilized for settlement purposes. Such developments are expected to attract more settlers to the area and enhance the presence of security forces, including the installation of additional surveillance cameras.
The Old City already hosts several detention and investigation centers, including notable facilities like the Beit Eliyahu Center and the Bab al-Asbat Center. The new police station would represent one of the largest police buildings in the area, both in terms of height and operational capacity.
