In Jerusalem, the home of civilizations and the three monotheistic faiths, and on the slopes of the Mount of Olives overlooking the Old City, and on land endowed more than two centuries ago by the Mufti and Judge of Jerusalem, Hasan Effendi Husseini, we open today Jerusalem Innovation Park and its International School (JIP). We open it not as a building, but as an idea; not as a project, but as a mission.

JIP was founded through the legacy and initiative of AlNayzak Organization to plant, in the very heart of Jerusalem, a cultural and scientific intellectual landmark to guide young minds toward the horizons of knowledge, creativity, and discovery. For years now, AlNayzak’s programs have spread across cities, serving tens of thousands of young innovators annually, earning the organization a distinguished educational and creative standing locally and internationally. Since its establishment in Jerusalem in 2003, AlNayzak has been driven by a belief that is simple in expression yet profound in meaning: that true investment lies in people; in their capacity for bold critical thinking and in nurturing their courage to experiment and learn. At AlNayzak we firmly believe that societies do not rise through slogans or speeches, but through enlightened minds that seek understanding before memorization, innovation and its responsibility before complaint and despair.

Today, amid Jerusalem’s long-standing legacy, this philosophy finally becomes reality represented in one place: a distinctive International Baccalaureate–inspired school, on its pathway toward accreditation, alongside an interactive science park, advanced experimentation and fabrication laboratories, and cultural and sports spaces. Together, they form an integrated educational ecosystem; one that connects knowledge with life, and ideas with action.

This achievement was neither simple nor straightforward. The vision came to life at a time when Jerusalem was enduring one of the most challenging periods of its modern history, amid complex political, economic, and social conditions. Construction began during the global COVID-19 pandemic, which brought much of the world to a halt. Yet our guiding principle was clear: in times of uncertainty, education and knowledge become anchors of certainty. We realized that in the face of anxiety about the present and fear of the future, continuing the building and development are acts of hope and markers of renewal.

JIP would not have been possible without genuine partnerships with local and international institutions, and with supporters who believe in Jerusalem not as a slogan or a nostalgic memory, but as a responsibility toward generations to come. Nor would it have been possible without a community that embraced the vision long before it took physical form; offering a powerful testament to mutual trust.

To all of you, we say: this achievement stands as a testament to your belief and support. It is a shared trust we will carry together, and a lasting testament of perseverance. This park does not belong to an institution or to individuals—it is a gift from Jerusalem to its people.

As the JIP opens its doors today to welcome its next generations of learners, it does not mark the completion of a project, but the beginning of an ongoing journey; one that contributes to creative action and to shaping a future that is more just, more peaceful, and more prosperous.

Here, a new chapter in Jerusalem’s unfolding future begins.
Here, we were—and here, we will remain.

Aref Husseini
Jerusalem – 2026