Cultural events were held on the West Bank on Saturday to recognize Jerusalem’s designation as the 2009 “capital of Arab culture”. Arab culture ministers have named a city each year since 1996. Last year Damascus held the title. Previously Israel had banned such events in the disputed holy city. Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas opened the ceremony at 1500 GMT. The streets of Bethlehem in the West Bank were lined with flags of different Arab countries in preparation for the start of the cultural event. Israel posted extra police throughout the city and said they would prohibit and Palestinian attempts to hold official activities