Can Jerusalem celebrate its Arab culture?
Since the six day war in 1967 Israel has occupied East Jerusalem, and in 2002 Israel began construction of the separation barrier that has since cut off the majority of Palestinians from the city. But this year, despite opposition from the Israeli authorities, Jerusalem is being celebrated as the 2009 Capital of Arab Culture. Dr Varsen Aghabekian, executive director of the cultural project, explains its personal and political significance The guardian weekly- Friday April 10th 2009 I’m a Jerusalemite. I’ve travelled a lot and there are many beautiful places in the world, but Jerusalem is different. When you enter the Old City I think something special happens, you feel something different. I’m not religious, but I feel it. There is nowhere else I would rather be. As a young girl I witnessed the six day war and since then I have grown up under Israeli occupation. It’s funny when you look at such a place that should be so serene and at the same time you see all the soldiers and policemen
