In a troubling display of nationalism and aggression, far-right Israeli marchers targeted Palestinians as they commemorated the controversial annexation of East Jerusalem on Monday.
Far-Right Provocation: Tensions Escalate During Jerusalem Day March
Far-Right Provocation: Tensions Escalate During Jerusalem Day March
Tensions surged as far-right activists clashed with Palestinians during Jerusalem Day, raising concerns over escalating violence in the holy city.
Crowds gathered near Damascus Gate, chanting fruitless slogans and hurling violent threats towards the Palestinian residents in the area. This annual event, which marks the Israeli capture of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, saw right-wing activists shouting “death to Arabs” and other incendiary phrases, raising alarms among local and international observers.
Israeli police attempted to maintain order as tensions escalated within the densely populated Old City. Right-wing demonstrators held banners proclaiming future territorial ambitions and engaged in harassment of Arab shopkeepers who had not closed their businesses yet, while chants of “May your village burn” echoed through the streets. Opposition leaders condemned the violence, with Yair Lapid labeling the event a “festival of hatred and racism,” calling it an affront to the values of Judaism.
The march coincided with ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, raising fears about the broader implications for regional stability. Palestinian leaders criticized the violent overtures, warning that such provocations could destabilize the region further. A spokesman for the Palestinian presidency condemned the aggressive march and voiced concerns over repeated incursions at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to maintaining a unified Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty, a stance that has heightened tensions in an already fraught environment. Opposition figures expressed outrage at the government's response, emphasizing the need for coexistence among all communities in Jerusalem.
As the historical tensions between Israelis and Palestinians play out with alarming regularity, this year’s Jerusalem Day march marks another chapter in the ongoing struggle for peace and mutual respect in a deeply divided city.
