Escalating violence in Israeli nationalist flag march
Jerusalem's Annual Flag March Erupts into Violence
Israeli nationalists, celebrating the conquest of East Jerusalem, clashed with Palestinians and attacked journalists during Monday's controversial Flag March. Thousands participated in the annual commemoration of Israel's 1967 conquest of the region, which has previously led to tensions with Palestinians.
In the Old City's predominantly Arab district, Israeli nationalists reportedly harassed Palestinian shop owners and chanted nationalist slogans, including "Death to the Arabs." The demonstrators, mainly young settlers from occupied West Bank areas, allegedly assaulted bystanders and Arab shops, while the Israeli police present remained inactive.
According to eyewitnesses and news reports, Israeli left-wing activists and journalists observing the march were also targeted, with no arrests made until late afternoon. A police officer on the scene stated that the young participants could not be arrested because they were under 18.
The annual Flag March, known as the "Dance of Flags," commemorates the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War. Tens of thousands of national-religious youth participate in the event, which has become a contentious issue in Israeli-Palestinian relations due to its association with ultranationalist sentiments and clashes with Palestinian residents.
The event saw an additional layer of complexity with the visit to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound by the far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir. Ben Gvir's visit, condemned by the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, has added fuel to the fire and further strained relations between Israel and the region. The minister's statements about praying on the Temple Mount, a longstanding flashpoint between Jews and Muslims, have sparked concerns and backlash.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his country's claim to the city, saying, "We will keep Jerusalem united, complete, and under Israeli control." Palestinians view the march as a provocation undermining their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of their own state.
The Flag March, with its historical and political significance, reflects deep-seated tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and continues to have ongoing implications for regional stability and peace efforts.
[Sources: ntv.de, toh/dpa/rts]
The European Union expressed concern over the escalating violence in Jerusalem's Annual Flag March, highlighting the potential impact on the general-news of Israeli-Palestinian relations. The political implications of this event, within the context of ongoing tensions and historical disputes, are being closely monitored by international bodies, including the European Union.
