July 16, 2009

In the West Bank, the IDF stages synchronized late-night house searches in villages w. of Jenin, making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bil‘in. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities raid the Nidal Center for Community Development, closing it until 8/11/09 for “supporting terror activities” (not further explained); break up a press conference held by al-Hamra Castle hotel, attended by several PA officials, to open an art exhibit celebrating the Arab League’s designation of Jerusalem as the Arab cultural capital of 2009, stating the event constitutes illegal Palestinian political activity in the city (see 7/5). (OCHA, PCHR 7/23)