Israelis stage nationalist march in Jerusalem, resulting in Palestinian areas needing cleanup
In Jerusalem, Businesses Struggle to Recover after Vandalism During Celebrations
During the Jerusalem Day march on Monday, numerous shop owners in the city were left grappling to gain entry to their establishments after they were vandalized. The vandalism was reportedly carried out using tools such as crowbars, hammers, and wirecutters, indicating the level of aggression involved.
Jerusalem Day, a national holiday in Israel, serves as a commemoration of the Israeli forces' takeover of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, which is commonly referred to as the Six-Day War. This year's march was marred by incidents of provocation, involving chants of "Death to Arabs" by Israeli right-wing activists[1]. The march also saw participants entering sensitive areas, including a UN compound, escalating tensions further[2].
The ensuing confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli residents took a toll on businesses in the city on Tuesday. Shopfronts were marked by the passage of the parade, with metal shutters bearing the evidence of padlocks being blocked and stickers being slapped on[3]. One such sticker read, "No humanitarian aid for Gaza," and was reportedly placed by Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), a far-right party led by Itamar Ben Gvir, the National Security Minister[3].
Employees of an east Jerusalem electricity supplier found their office in disarray on Tuesday, with the front windows shattered and the door barricaded[4]. The company official, Ismail Eshqart, who arrived to change the lock and assess the damage, commented that while they expected increased tension this year, they did not anticipate the deliberate acts of vandalism[4]. There was no official naming of the suspected perpetrators[4].
Abu Osama, a clothes seller in the Muslim Quarter, expressed his frustration at the yearly repetition of these attacks during Jerusalem Day. He accused the marchers of causing damage to shops, closing them, and throwing firecrackers[4]. Despite the dismay among business owners, fruit sellers at stalls in front of the Damascus Gate into the Old City carried on with their work[4].
Umm Mohammed, a store customer who was born in the Old City, conveyed her desire for peace and expressed concern over the growing tension. She recounted a disturbing incident from the previous year, where a friend of hers was attacked by march participants[4].
On Tuesday morning, a group of around 10 Israeli and foreign volunteers arrived to aid in the clean-up effort following the march[5]. However, their efforts were occasionally thwarted by police patrols, who accused them of disturbing the peace[5]. The police did not respond to a request for comment regarding the incidents[5].
Joshua Korn, a member of the Israeli-Palestinian activist group Standing Together, expressed his dismay at the situation. He felt that the police, who are tasked with maintaining order, were contributing to the chaos by confronting those attempting to remove racist graffiti and stickers[5].
The events of Jerusalem Day continue to highlight the complex and delicate nature of the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians, exacerbated by the provocative actions that often accompany such celebrations.
© 2025 AFP
[1] https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210608-israeli-racists-chant-death-to-arabs-during-jerusalem-day-march/[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/7/israeli-police-eliminate-antifa-activists-as-jerusalem-day-march-escalates[3] Original Text[4] Original Text[5] Original Text
- The escalation of tensions during the Jerusalem Day march this year extended beyond the city, as international media outlets reported on the incendiary chants and provocation by Israeli right-wing activists, as well as the general news about the damage inflicted on Gaza-related businesses in the city.
- The political landscape in Israel remained tense as the national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, was accused of leading a far-right party that placed incendiary stickers on shopfronts, calling for a halt to humanitarian aid for Gaza, raising concerns about the escalating war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues.
- In the wake of the Jerusalem Day march, businesses in Jerusalem continue to grapple with the aftermath, with ongoing international scrutiny and attention to the delicate nature of the Israel-Palestinian relationship, highlighting the need for a peaceful resolution in the political sphere.
