Israel deployed additional police and military forces in Jerusalem in an attempt to block celebrating the city (Al-Quds in Arabic) as Capital of Arab Culture for 2009.
According to the Israeli police, the festival is illegal because it is sponsored by the Palestinian Authority (PA). They said all PA activity is banned in the city.
On Thursday night police stormed Jerusalem’s Christmas Hotel where organizers were discussing plans for the festival, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday. Police seized a laptop, documents, and the ID cards of the planners.
Because the festival is banned in the city it is meant to honor, the official launch event is planned to take place in Bethlehem, ten kilometers to the south, behind Israel’s concrete wall and within the PA’s jurisdiction.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed the area as part of its “eternal undivided capital.” Palestinians still regard the city as their capital and the international community do not recognize Israeli control over the area.
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