BETHLEHEM, March 21 (KUNA) -- Israeli forces arrested a number of Palestinian students who participated in a march celebrating Jerusalem as the Arab capital of culture.
Students marched to Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, where they were intercepted by Israeli police forces who arrested a number of the demonstrators.
Israeli Authorities have imposed a strict blockade to ban any festivals to celebrate the Jerusalem as the Arab Capital of Culture for year 2009. They have stormed Bishop School in Jerusalem to prohibit the holding of posters and distribution of t-shirts depicting the celebration.
Arije Diabis, a staff at the Palestinian presidential bureau, was arrested and dragged from her house in Beit Hanina, northern Jerusalem, but she was freed hours later.
Meanwhile, a large number of the Israeli policemen burst into a builiding housing (Burj Al-Qulqul) association, arresting the chairman and banning all celebratory activities.(end) nq.mao KUNA 211756 Mar 09NNNN