Escalated clashes during nationalist rally: Israeli protesters intensify physical conflicts
Jerusalem: Annual Flag March Escalates Tensions as Israeli Nationalists Clash with Palestinians
Israeli nationalists celebrated the conquest of East Jerusalem, predominantly Arab, during Monday's controversial Flag March, leading to clashes and incidents of violence. The march, an annual event commemorating Israel's 1967 conquest of East Jerusalem, attracted thousands of participants and resulted in attacks on journalists, Palestinian shop owners, and left-wing Israeli activists.
The demonstrators, primarily young settlers from the occupied West Bank, began by harassing Palestinian shop owners in the walled Old City of East Jerusalem, a predominantly Arab area. Eyewitnesses reported that the crowd followed by assaulting individuals and shops, while chanting nationalist slogans, including "Death to the Arabs."
Israeli police present during the march did not intervene, despite the chaotic scenes. A police officer on the scene confirmed that the young participants could not be arrested due to their age. Journalists on the scene were informed they were not under police protection if they chose to follow the group.
Tensions between Palestinians and Israeli nationalists were exacerbated by the visit of far-right Israeli politician, Itamar Ben Gvir, to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, an extremely contentious location considered holy by both Jews and Muslims. According to reports, Ben Gvir said, "Thank God, it's already possible to pray on the Temple Mount today." The site's management is managed by an Islamic foundation from neighboring Jordan.
For Palestinians, the Flag March is seen as a deliberate 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 Jerusalem, stating, "We will keep Jerusalem united, complete, and under Israeli control."
The Flag March, held annually to commemorate Israel's capture of East Jerusalem, has a deep historical and religious significance for many Israeli Jews. However, the event is deeply contentious for Palestinians, for whom East Jerusalem is regarded as occupied territory and a crucial part of their national identity. The march's recurrence every year serves as a reminder of the deep divisions over Jerusalem and the city's central role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sources: ntv.de, toh/dpa/rts
The European Union has expressed concern over the annual Flag March in Jerusalem, noting its potential to escalate tensions and fuel violence in the region, as reported by general-news outlets. Politicians within the EU might consider implementing measures to ensure justice and peace in the Middle East, given the ongoing crime-and-justice issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
