JERUSALEM, June 26 (UPI) -- Israel ordered the temporary closure of an East Jerusalem theater, blocking an annual puppet show because the show had no permit, officials said.
Israeli authorities said the event was illegally sponsored by the Palestinian Authority, an allegation the P.A. denied.
Minister of Internal Security Yitzhak Aharonovich issued an eight-day closure order for the El-Hakawati theater Friday, a day before it was due to host the annual Palestinian Children's Week puppet show, The Times of Israel reported Tuesday.
The order alleged the event contravened the Israeli-Palestinian peace accords banning such activities within Israel without prior authorization from authorities.
Mohamed Halayiqa, director of the theater, called the decision "disgraceful," Middle East Online reported.
Halayiqa said the P.A. was not involved in the puppet festival funded by donations from abroad.
"Israeli security services summoned me on Thursday and Friday to ask about the source of funding," he said.
"The theater was closed since it operated under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority without a permit as required by law. An announcement to this effect was given to the theater. The Internal Security Ministry is not opposed to artistic and cultural activities for East Jerusalem children, as long as they are conducted according to the law," a ministry statement said.
