In a Seminar in Rabat: A Call to Strengthen the Palestinian Narrative as a Line of Defense for Jerusalem's Identity Against Judaization

SadaNews - Two researchers from Jerusalem emphasized the importance of building a solid Palestinian narrative based on scientific and historical foundations, viewing it as a central tool for protecting the Arab and Islamic presence in Jerusalem, amid increasing attempts to obliterate identity and impose counter-narratives on the ground.

This was stated during a scientific seminar organized by the Jerusalem Heritage Fund, as part of the 31st edition of the International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat, attended by the agency’s manager, Mohamed Salem Al-Sharqawi, and a group of researchers and interested parties.

Jerusalem researchers Khalil Tafqji and Talal Abu Afeefa presented interventions on the topic "The Palestinian Narrative and Protection of the Arab and Islamic Presence in Jerusalem,” stressing the need to overcome the shortcomings of media performance and the weakness of Arab knowledge production related to the religious and civilizational centrality of Jerusalem, emphasizing the importance of developing a comprehensive discourse that reflects the shared "Islamic-Christian" identity of the city.

The two researchers pointed to the qualitative value of what they described as the "neutral narrative," which relies on historical facts and scientific references, and refutes the claims propagated by extremist Israeli right-wing currents, in light of the absence of evidence supporting those allegations.

In this context, Khalil Tafqji, the Director of the Maps Department at Beit Al-Sharq in Jerusalem and the author of the book "Settlement in Jerusalem," reviewed the efforts made by King Mohammed VI of Morocco, President of the Jerusalem Committee, to support the steadfastness of Palestinians in the city, through the endorsement of education sectors, social institutions, and urban restoration projects, especially amid the restrictions imposed on construction in East Jerusalem.

Tafqji also highlighted the religious and historical significance of Jerusalem for the three Abrahamic religions, addressing the stark contrast between the Palestinian and Israeli narratives and pointing to the measures adopted by the occupation authorities to impose their narrative, whether by changing the names of streets and areas from Arabic to Hebrew, or through demographic modification policies aimed at reducing the Palestinian presence, in addition to attempts to influence educational curricula and distort historical awareness.

For his part, writer and legal advisor Talal Abu Afeefa affirmed that Jerusalem is engaged in an ongoing existential battle to defend its identity and historical narrative against systematic policies aimed at altering its landmarks, praising the efforts and supportive positions of the Kingdom of Morocco for the holy city through the role played by the Jerusalem Heritage Fund in silence, and its direct and effective intervention to enhance the resilience of Jerusalemites.

Abu Afeefa warned against attempts to obliterate the cultural identity of the city, through the closure of cultural institutions and the prohibition of activities aimed at children, as part of efforts targeting the eradication of the Arab, Islamic, and Christian character of Jerusalem, noting that the city is undergoing a process of "ongoing demographic and geographic erosion."

He stressed the commitment of intellectuals and civil society institutions to continue working to reinforce Palestinian national belonging in Jerusalem through multiple field initiatives, including protecting intangible heritage, encouraging the wearing of traditional Palestinian attire, and transferring the cultural legacy to upcoming generations.

The Jerusalem Heritage Fund is participating in the current session of the fair, which runs until May 10, 2026, through a pavilion showcasing its latest publications, along with a section dedicated to children that presents products from the "Heya" platform, aimed at instilling the values and virtues of Jerusalem among the youth.

The agency is expected to organize another seminar on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, titled "Jerusalem Through Moroccan Eyes: In Classifications and Palestinian Aesthetic Achievements," to present the results of research projects completed this year at both the "Jerusalem" Research and Studies Center in Rabat and the Chair of Moroccan Studies at Al-Quds University.