Thousands of young Israeli Jews marched through Muslim neighborhoods in Jerusalem’s Old City, chanting “Death to Arabs” and singing “May your village burn,” during the annual Jerusalem Day procession. The event, which marks Israel’s capture of east Jerusalem in 1967, has become a rowdy and sometimes violent celebration of ultranationalist Jews.
Police kept a close watch on the crowd, while Palestinian shopkeepers closed early to avoid confrontation. Hours earlier, a group of protesters, including an Israeli lawmaker, stormed a compound in east Jerusalem belonging to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). The march’s violent tone and recent clashes with Palestinians have raised concerns about escalating tensions.
Jerusalem is a deeply contested city, with each side claiming it as part of their national and religious identity. Israel considers all of Jerusalem its eternal capital, while Palestinians want an independent state with east Jerusalem as its capital. Last year’s procession saw ultranationalist Israelis attack a Palestinian journalist, and four years ago, the march helped trigger an 11-day war in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the event to pledge to “preserve a united, whole Jerusalem” and said his government was working to promote foreign recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. However, critics argue that such efforts only exacerbate tensions.
As part of the celebration, thousands of young Jews visited the Temple Mount, a holy site shared by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The visitation has sparked controversy, with Palestinians claiming it erodes the tenuous understanding between Israeli and Muslim authorities at the compound.
The annual Jerusalem Day march has become increasingly dominated by ultranationalist and religious groups, raising concerns about rising tensions in the city.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-jerusalem-nationalist-march-ben-gvir-0c6471592182aac205115150d1b3a552