Thursday December 17, 2009 14:49 by Ghassan Bannoura - IMEMC News & Agencies

The Israeli occupation government police attacked on Thursday midday a festival organized by Palestinians in Jerusalem old city.

The festival was organized by the Palestinians Authority to mark the end of the Jerusalem the Capital of Arab Culture activities.

Witnesses said that Israeli troops and police attacked the people that gathered near Damascus gate using batons and rifle buts. Officers then rounded up a number of participants and arrested them.

Medical sources announced that a at least 20 people sustained cuts and burses due to the police attack.

Eelier this year the city of Jerusalem was chosen by the Arab League to be Capital of Arab Culture for 2009.

The Israeli government banned all activities related to the event. Israel says Jerusalem is it capital and does not belong to Palestinians. Israeli occupied the city of Jerusalem during the 1967 war.

Published today (updated) 17/12/2009 14:30

Bethlehem - Ma'an -

Israeli occupation forces detained secretary-general of Jerusalem's Fat'h movement Omar Al-Shabi and several others from a celebration of Palestinian culture in the Old City of Jerusalem on Thursday, while police presence descended on the area.

Organizers, including Prisoners' Club President Nasser Kaws, were hustled out of the Damascus Gate area of the Old City and detained by Israeli occupation government border police, prompting scuffles at the main entrance into the ancient streets.

Crowds gathered at the site and groups sang traditional wedding songs, gathering in clusters around television cameras stationed on the stairs leading to the gate.

One participant in the event, meant to mark Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture 2009 which comes to an end at the close of this month, told reporters, "Israel used to say they detain everyone who threatens it with weapons, but look, are these people threatening it? They are just celebrating."

A performer at the Jerusalem event noted, "Israel is an occupation so it is its job to marginalize Palestinian culture, but we will resist with our willpower. No one can suppress the Palestinian people."

Intended to be a yearlong event sponsored by the Arab League, Al-Quds Capital of Arab Culture was officially banned by Israel. The festival was marred by arrests and police raids.

In Nablus, thousands also attended a celebration proclaiming attachment to Jerusalem, apparently organized by the local branch of Fat'h. President Mahmoud Abbas gave opening remarks at the celebration in the northern West Bank city.

Abbas told the demonstration that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Palestine. “Jerusalem is ours and it will remain ours,” he added.

There were many Palestinian officials who were participating with the president in the celebrations.

Also attending the event in Nablus was Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayid Al-Nahyan, the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, and a number of Palestinian Authority officials.