Violent Escalation of Israeli Nationalists during Flag Demonstration
Riots Break Out During Israel's Flag March in Jerusalem
In the heart of Jerusalem, the annual Flag March escalated into chaos Monday, with nationalist Israeli demonstrators clashing with Palestinians, left-wing activists, and journalists.
Thousands of national religious Israelis took part in the march, which commemorates the conquest of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six-Day War. This year's edition saw an increase in violence and tension as the participants, largely young settlers from the West Bank, harassed Palestinian shop owners and chanted nationalist slogans, including "Death to Arabs."
The confrontations intensified when the demonstrators turned on left-wing Israeli activists and journalists who were observing the march. The Israeli police, present in significant numbers due to the potential for violence, did not intervene.
In another escalation, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, sparking international condemnation. Ben-Gvir's presence on the site, a longstanding flashpoint between Jews and Muslims, further heightened tensions.
Palestinians view the Flag March as a provocation that undermines their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his government's claim to the city, stating, "We will keep Jerusalem united, complete, and under Israeli control."
The entry of far-right Israelis, including Minister Ben-Gvir, into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound was strongly criticized by Jordan, highlighting the geopolitical tensions surrounding Jerusalem. The ongoing conflict and displacement in the city underscore unresolved issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sources: ntv.de, toh/dpa/rts
The European Union has expressed concern over the escalation of violence in Jerusalem during the Flag March, as the event serves as a flashpoint between Israelis and Palestinians.
General news outlets have reported that the politics of the region, such as the entry of far-right Israelis into sensitive sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, further exacerbate war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues in the region.
