Israel bans PA event in Jerusalem hotel

Public security minister Erdan blocks what he says is latest Palestinian attempt to ‘strengthen presence in Jerusalem‘

Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan arrives to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, on March 5, 2017. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)
Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan arrives to the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, on March 5, 2017. (Marc Israel Sellem/Pool)

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan on Wednesday issued an order prohibiting the Palestinian Authority from holding an event in Jerusalem, his office said.

The event, scheduled for East Jerusalem’s Legacy Hotel, was titled “Palestine under a culture of incitement in Israel,” Jerusalem Police reported to Erdan, and senior PA figures were expected to attend.

A statement from Erdan said this was “part of repeated attempts by the Palestinian Authority to strengthen its status in Jerusalem by staging events and operating NGOs.”

Israel has repeatedly worked to clamp down on any Palestinian Authority activity in East Jerusalem, fearing that it would grant legitimacy to Palestinian claims to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

The policy dates back to 2001 in the midst of the Second Intifada, when Israel shut down the Orient House, which was serving as the headquarters of the PLO in East Jerusalem. It has since worked to suppress any official Palestinian activity in the city.

Israel regards East Jerusalem as part of a united Jewish capital, a position opposed by the Palestinians, while both sides accuse each other of incitement.

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