Nationalists parade through the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City every year – much to the annoyance of the Palestinians. Police officers are worried about a confrontation.
Thousands of nationalist Israelis paraded through Jerusalem on Thursday under heavy police protection with Israeli flags. The controversial march also passed through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, in what Palestinians see as an extreme provocation.
According to the Haaretz news site, around 20,000 people gathered. Also in attendance were Israel’s far-right Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The march takes place annually on Jerusalem Day. It celebrates the Israeli conquest of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. The Palestinians are demanding the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem as the future capital of their own state.
Beware of confrontation
According to the police, around 3,200 security forces had been put on alert for fear of confrontations. During the march, several Jewish groups chanted slogans such as “Death to the Arabs” or “May your village burn” loudly in Haaretz.
There were isolated cases of violent clashes between Jewish nationalists and Palestinians. Videos showed how march participants threw bottles and other objects at journalists. Several reporters were therefore treated on site. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident, police said.
In the morning, several hundred Jews had visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, including a member of the government and several members of parliament. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry condemned the visit as “provocative and unacceptable”. The Temple Mount with the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam. But it is also sacred to Jews because there used to be two Jewish temples there. Jews are allowed to visit the facility, but not pray there.
The flag march was canceled about two years ago because of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. The ruling Hamas in Gaza warned that the “red line” in Jerusalem should not be crossed. In the Gaza Strip, hundreds gathered in protest at the border with Israel. They waved Palestinian flags and set tires on fire. Israeli soldiers reportedly fired tear gas at the protesters.
A five-day round of violence between Israel and militant Palestinians from the coastal strip only ended on Saturday after a ceasefire.
Tweet from Jordan’s Foreign Ministry Kan-Tweet with Ben-Gvir on the ground Report Haaretz
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
