Israel raids two cultural centers in Jerusalem

By AbdelRaouf Arnaout
JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli forces raided two cultural institutions in east Jerusalem on Wednesday, according to local residents.

Police and intelligence agents stormed the Yabous Cultural Centre and the National Conservatory institute in the city and confiscated several files and documents, residents said.

The reason for the raids remains unclear.

Israeli police took the directors of the two cultural institutions into custody, residents said.

There was no comment from the Israeli authorities on the report.

According to Palestinian figures, Israel closed more than 32 cultural and society institutions in Jerusalem since 2001.

Meanwhile, Israeli bulldozers demolished a Palestinian home east Jerusalem, citing lack of a building permit.

Israel occupied the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 1967. Israel justifies the demolition of Palestinian homes by lacking building permits, despite the fact that Israel does not provide such permits to Palestinians.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara