Israeli police prevented Palestinian officials from meeting at Orient House, the Palestine Liberation Organization’s de facto headquarters in eastern Jerusalem.
Internal Security Minister Moshe Shahal made the decision after receiving information that Faisal Husseini the leading Palestinian official in Jerusalem, had invited Palestinian Authority officials to meet there.
Police forces were deployed Wednesday to the streets surrounding the building, sealing off all access to it by Palestinian officials.
Among the officials was Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian human rights activist elected in January to the 88-member Palestinian Council.
“This is totally unacceptable,” she told Israel Radio after Israeli police refused to let her enter the site.
“This is not a political meeting. This was a meeting and press conference to denounce violence. This only aggravates the situation and creates more conflict,” she added.
After discussions between Husseini and Jerusalem Police Chief Aryeh Amit, journalists were allowed into Orient House, where Husseini read a prepared statement.
“We are condemning these explosions,” he said, referring to the recent series of terror attacks. “This is not only against the peace process, but it is [unacceptable] from a religious and moral point of view.”
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