Police break up small PA conference in east Jerusalem

By ETGAR LEFKOVITS, AP
Jerusalem police on Tuesday forcibly dispersed a conference of several dozen Arab residents of east Jerusalem which was organized by the Palestinian Authority, police said. The early evening event in an east Jerusalem club was banned by order of Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter. Two of the participants at the conference were detained for questioning after refusing police orders to disperse, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said. Palestinians said the event was aimed at promoting Jerusalem's selection by the Arab League as the world's next "Arab Cultural Capital." Israel has not commented on the 22-member Arab League's decision. According to the moribund Oslo Accords, Palestinian political activity is banned in Jerusalem.