JERUSALEM 

Israeli police on Thursday banned an annual event marking Mother's Day at the French Culture Center in East Jerusalem. 

According to witnesses, police detained at least one Palestinian woman outside the center.

Organized by the Jerusalem Girls Association, Thursday’s event -- intended to honor prominent Jerusalem women and showcase local handicrafts -- was timed to coincide with Mother's Day, which in Palestine is commemorated on March 21.

Israeli police, however, preempted the event, surrounding the culture center and denying entry to would-be participants.

Gilad Erdan, Israeli public security minister, approved the decision to ban the event on the pretext that it was “sponsored and funded by the Palestinian Authority”.

Recent years have seen the Israeli authorities impose increasingly draconian measures against Palestinian activities in occupied East Jerusalem.