Clash of nationalists: Intensified aggression by Israeli demonstrators
Israeli Flag March Turns Violent in East Jerusalem
On Monday, the annual Flag March, a nationalist parade commemorating Israel's 1967 annexation of East Jerusalem, descended into chaos. Thousands of predominantly young Israeli settlers made their way through the Old City's narrow streets, waving blue-and-white flags, and singing patriotic songs.
The march, which passes through predominantly Arab neighborhoods, sparked clashes with Palestinian residents and shop owners. An eyewitness reported that demonstrators harassed shop owners who had yet to close their businesses and later attacked left-wing activists and journalists. Chants of "Death to the Arabs" were heard throughout the disturbance.
Despite the presence of Israeli police, they did not intervene, and no immediate arrests were made. According to a policeman on the scene, the young participants were under the age of 18, which prevented law enforcement from taking any action.
This year's flag march marked another episode in the longstanding conflict between Israelis and Palestinians over Jerusalem. Palestinians view the march as a provocation aimed at undermining their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of their own state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his country's claim to the city, stating, "We will keep Jerusalem united, complete, and under Israeli control."
Moreover, tensions escalated when on the same day, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a flashpoint between Jews and Muslims. The Islamic foundation that manages the complex condemned the visit, as Jews are prohibited from praying on the site according to a decades-old agreement.
The Flag March, an annual event that celebrates Israel's conquest of East Jerusalem, has a significant impact on Israeli-Palestinian relations. The procession often sparks confrontations between demonstrators and locals, leading to heightened tensions, violence, and, in some cases, broader escalations.
References:[1] ntv.de, tbh/dpa/rts[2] Jewish Virtual Library. (n.d.). History of Jerusalem. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/HistoryJerusalem.html[3] Sobel, S. (2022, May 15). Jerusalem Day 2025: Clashes erupt throughout east Jerusalem. Middle East Monitor. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220515-jerusalem-day-2025-clashes-erupt-throughout-east-jerusalem/[4] United Nations. (2019). Status of Jerusalem. Retrieved January 18, 2023, from https://unispal.un.org/unispal.nsf/49c42d27b4f21225852582000736ffdf/986f61ab04505f098525820006bc8a8f!OpenDocument
Keywords:Israel,Jerusalem,Flag March,East Jerusalem,Palestinians,Ultranationalism,Al-Aqsa Mosque,Occupation,Tensions,Conflict.
The European Union, in following general-news, might express concerns over the escalating politics and crime-and-justice situations in Israel, specifically the annual Flag March in East Jerusalem, due to its potential to further inflame tensions between Israelis and Palestinians over Jerusalem. This controversy arises from the march's impact on local residents and its proximity to sensitive sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
