JERUSALEM: On Sunday, thousands of flag-waving Israeli nationalists marched through Jerusalem’s Muslim quarters in a hugely controversial procession that Palestinian groups worried may reignite their confrontation with Israel.
After Palestinians charged police with stones in the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd, which included several Jewish visitors who seemed to be praying against the law.
A parade through the Old City of Jerusalem is held each year to commemorate Israel’s victory in the 1967 Middle East conflict, attracting tens of thousands of spectators screaming and singing their hearts out.
Youth screamed “Death to Arabs” as they reached the Muslim neighbourhood of the Old City’s Damascus Gate. In the shadows of Jerusalem’s old walls, a small group roared, “An Arab is a son of a whore.”
Police said that 2,600 Jews visited Al-Aqsa esplanade the day before the march, setting a record for one day.
Several guests wore religious clothing. Several others chanted the national anthem and brandished Israeli flags.
One person was chastised by the mosque’s preacher, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, for his actions. “This has not occurred at Al-Aqsa mosque since 1967, he said to Reuters, accusing the government of purposely escalating tensions. “
The images have gone viral and Hamas, which rules Gaza, has also expressed its displeasure.
A senior Hamas official told Reuters that “the Israeli government is totally accountable for all these irresponsible acts and the subsequent repercussions.”
During the last several years, Hamas has portrayed itself as a protector of Muslim Jerusalem. At least 250 Palestinians were murdered in Gaza, while 13 people were killed in Israel during an 11-day conflict last year over Palestinian evictions from the city.
A Palestinian flag was trailed by a drone as Israeli nationalists gathered in front of Damascus Gate. As the gathering gathered, a guy ran up to them and flashed a second Palestinian flag at them.
Many little brawls erupted all around the city. An Israeli teenager was caught on camera spraying pepper on a Palestinian lady, setting off a fight. Others claimed to be peaceful protesters.
Jewish seminary student Yair Sussman, 17, says he knows his neighbours are not thrilled that “we are in their midst, but we didn’t come to irritate them; we came to be joyful for Jerusalem.”
At least 30 Palestinians were injured in clashes throughout the West Bank on Sunday, according to medical representatives.
While the Palestinians aim to establish a future state in the eastern part of Jerusalem, Israel considers the entire city to be its capital. Hamas, which the West considers a terrorist organisation, considers all of modern-day Israel to be under occupation.
They believe the demonstration Sunday was an Israeli show of power, and part of an overall strategy to increase Jewish presence in the city.
N. Bennett has justified his decision to allow for the march by saying that it has become an annual event in Israeli history. He remarked on Sunday that waving the Israeli flag in Israel’s capital was “absolutely okay.”
During the holy month of Ramadan in April, Israeli police battled with Palestinians in the Al-Aqsa complex over the increasing number of Jewish visitors to the mosque esplanade.
When Israeli police assaulted the mourners and pulled away Palestinian flags from Shireen Abu Akleh’s burial two weeks ago, everything erupted into mayhem.
The Islamic holy place of Al-Aqsa is the third most revered in the Muslim world. The Temple Mount is also cherished by Jews as a relic of their faith’s two ancient temples and is located in Jerusalem.
