Scandal ended a solemn event in honor of the Day of Russia, held in the hotel "Ambassador" in East Jerusalem on the evening of June 18. At the height of the holiday policemen in uniform and security officials in civilian clothes burst into the hall. They demanded to stop the event and presented a prohibition order signed by the head of the Jerusalem police district, Joram Halevi. The document said that this "political assembly" was initiated by "terrorist organizations" - the People's and Democratic Freedom Front for Palestine. According to RIA Novosti, between the police and guests of the evening, among whom were Russian diplomats, there was a skirmish. Until melee or use of weapons did not come, but the most active police detained. "We told them: we continue the dinner, and what do you want, then do. In their presence, we continued the meal and only then left the premises, "said Samir Khatib, chairman of the Association of Russian and Soviet Alumni in Israel, who was present at the dinner.. To hear that the celebration was organized by the Society of Palestinian-Russian Friendship, law enforcement officers did not. "It was a non-party event in the format of reception - a friendly dinner dedicated to the celebration of Russia Day. No terror, no topics that do not concern friendship with Russia. All arrived legally, no one climbed over the fence and did not make their way through secret paths, "the agency quotes the eyewitness. And although the use of force was not, except for the ejection of microphones, the Archbishop of Sebaste Theodosius (Hannah) called the actions of the Israeli special services "a barbaric act". "This is not only an insult to the participants, but an insult to Russia," the local Maan agency quotes the archbishop. The problem arose because of suspicions that at this event they celebrate Russia's recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state, writes NEWSru. co. il. In the spring of this year, the United States announced that they recognize the undivided Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved its embassy from Tel Aviv. This provoked a Palestinian protest, since the status of Jerusalem is the main stumbling block between them and the Israelis.