Damascus Gate signage changed in East Jerusalem

Israeli authorities have replaced the signage for the Damascus Gate, a major entrance to the Old City in East Jerusalem, with a new sign reading ‘Ancient Gate’. The Damascus Gate is a significant landmark located on the route to the Al-Aqsa Mosque and is one of the seven gates of the walled city.

The Jerusalem Governorate stated that this action is part of an ongoing policy to change the names of streets, landmarks, and historical sites in the city. Officials characterized the move as an attempt to erase the Arab heritage of Jerusalem and impose Hebrew names, which they described as an attack on the city’s Arab, Islamic, and Christian identity.

Historians note that while the gate's origins date back to the Roman era, its current structure is a remnant of the Ottoman period, following restoration orders issued by Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Under international law, East Jerusalem is considered occupied territory.