RAMALLAH, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Palestine on Wednesday slammed the Israeli authorities' "raid" into cultural organizations and the arrest of directors of the organizations.
Israeli police raided three well-known art centers in East Jerusalem and then stormed into the homes of their directors early on Wednesday, said Palestinian and Israeli sources.
"Israel's violent and systematic campaign against Palestinians in occupied Jerusalem aims to erase the Palestinian presence," Hanan Ashrawi, member of Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee, said in a statement.
Palestinian Culture Ministry accused Israel of attempting to hinder the cultural scene for Palestinians in East Jerusalem.
"The attack on these institutions is an attack on Palestinian national culture and heritage," said the ministry in a press statement in response to the incident.
Israel has recently banned Palestinians from holding activities or events in East Jerusalem and has shut down many organizations and arrested several of their employees and activists in the city. Enditem
