Israel replaces Damascus Gate name on East Jerusalem signs

The Israeli municipality has replaced the name "Damascus Gate" with "Ancient Gate" on public signs in occupied East Jerusalem, critics argue that the move is an attempt to erase the city's Palestinian identity. Damascus Gate, located on the northern side of Jerusalem's Old City, is a prominent entrance through the ancient walls and a crucial route for Palestinians accessing Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as a significant social gathering spot.

Signs bearing the name "Damascus Gate" were recently removed and replaced with "Ancient Gate" in Arabic, English, and Hebrew. Abdullah Marouf, a researcher specializing in Al-Aqsa Mosque affairs, stated that Israel is attempting to Judaize Jerusalem by replacing Arabic and Islamic symbols in public life with Jewish ones. The area surrounding Damascus Gate is vital to daily life for Palestinians, and Israel has sought to change its name for years.

Marouf warned that such efforts are futile, as the essence of Jerusalem – its image, nature, and Arabic language – remain unchanged, and a sign on one of its streets cannot alter its reality. The Jerusalem Governorate explained that these changes are part of a broader policy to reshape the city's urban and cultural landscape by replacing long-standing Arabic names with new ones.

The governorate emphasized that renaming streets, landmarks, and historical sites is not merely an administrative measure but a deliberate attempt to sever future generations from Jerusalem's historical Arabic names and its Arab, Islamic, and Christian heritage.