Tensions Rise as Far-Right Marchers Clash with Palestinians During Jerusalem Day Celebrations

On Jerusalem Day, far-right Israelis engaged in violent confrontations with Palestinians in Jerusalem's Old City. Opposition leaders condemned the event as a display of hatred, coinciding with the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

 

Crowds of far-right Israelis clashed with Palestinians during an annual Jerusalem Day parade on Monday, igniting tensions in the heart of the city's Old City. The march, commemorating the 1967 capture of predominantly Palestinian East Jerusalem, devolved into chaos as participants chanted inflammatory slogans and assaulted local residents. “Death to Arabs” and other nationalistic rallying cries echoed through the streets, marking a stark display of hostility.

Israeli Police were heavily present, intervening as aggressive marchers entered Palestinian neighborhoods. Eyewitness accounts described harassment of Arab traders and the chanting of phrases such as "May your village burn," exacerbating the already tense atmosphere. Opposition Leader Yair Lapid expressed outrage, stating that the event has transformed into a "festival of hatred and racism," which he deemed a disgrace to Judaism.

The march saw prominent right-wing activists carry banners proclaiming aspirations to expand Israeli control, with one reading, “67 - Jerusalem in our hands; 2025 - Gaza in our hands.” Amidst the upheaval, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir addressed the crowd, calling for severe repercussions against "terrorists."

Warning against the actions of the marchers, Palestinian leadership condemned both the event and Ben Gvir's visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque, a site of great religious significance, emphasizing the threats posed to regional stability. In a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced the commitment to maintain Jerusalem as the undivided capital under Israeli sovereignty.

The violent scenes prompted left-wing opposition responses, with leaders like Yair Golan labeling the day’s events as showcasing "hatred, racism, and bullying." They echoed sentiments that Jerusalem should be a city belonging to all, regardless of faith or origin.

This year's Jerusalem Day coincided with the broader context of heightened conflict in Gaza, following Israel's military actions that began in response to the Hamas attack earlier in October, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Both Palestinians and many in the international community see East Jerusalem as occupied territory, complicating the ongoing struggle for rights and recognition within the contested city.