Escalation of physical confrontations during Israeli nationalist procession
In Jerusalem on Monday, the annual Flag March of Israeli nationalists escalated into violence, causing clashes and attacks on Palestinians and journalists. The march, which commemorates Israel's conquest of East Jerusalem in 1967, took place in the walled Old City, where many Palestinian shop owners chose to close their businesses out of fear of violent attacks.
The procession, primarily composed of young settlers from the occupied West Bank, initially harassed a few Palestinian shop owners who had not yet closed their businesses. Subsequently, the demonstrators attacked left-wing Israeli activists and journalists observing the march, chanting nationalist slogans, and shouting "Death to the Arabs." Witnesses also reported attacks on people on the scene and Arab shops. The Israeli police present did not intervene.
While no arrests were made in the immediate aftermath, a police officer explained that young participants could not be arrested because they were under 18 years old. Thousands of people participated in the march, which is known for leading to clashes with Palestinians and has been criticized by the international community for its perceived provocative nature.
Right-wing Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir added fuel to the fire by visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. benefits God, it is already possible to pray on the Temple Mount," he said in a video. The site is a long-standing flashpoint between Jews and Muslims and is holy to both religions. According to a decades-old agreement, the complex is managed by an Islamic foundation from the neighboring country of Jordan. Jews are allowed to visit but not to pray there. The Palestinian Authority and Jordan condemned the minister's visit.
Palestinians see the march as a provocation to undermine their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of their own state. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his country's claim to the city, stating, "We will keep Jerusalem united, complete, and under Israeli control."
The Israeli Flag March in Jerusalem is a contentious event that highlights deep-seated tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, with significant implications for regional stability and international relations. Understanding its history, purpose, and the reactions it elicits is essential to interpreting the complex dynamics at play in the region.
The Israeli Flag March, a yearly event in Jerusalem, attracting thousands of participants and often resulting in violence against Palestinians and journalists, is a source of international controversy. Notably, the European Union has expressed concern over the march's provocative nature and its potential impact on regional politics and general-news topics related to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
