Jerusalem: the “March of the flags” added tension between Israelis and Palestinians

Tens of thousands of people participated this Sunday in the controversy “March of Flags” in Jerusalem, a national procession in which the Israelis remember the conquest of the eastern part of the citywhich corresponds to this year’s weeks of tension.

The demonstration, which according to police was put together 70,000 peoplecrossed the Old City, located in East Jerusalem, a sector occupied by Israel since 1967 and merged.

People paraded in the streets of Jerusalem and some participants who make up the anti-Arab group “La Familia” sang slogans such as “Death to the Arabs.”

This day is remembered “reunification” of the city, that the eastern part was occupied by Israel in 1967 and annexed in 1980.

short clashes was recorded between Palestinian and Israeli policemen in front of “Beautiful Damascus”, where the protesters entered the Old City and overlooking the Muslim quarter, a photographer from the news agency confirmed. AFP.

The projectiles were launched to march on the Muslim quarter, a journalist from AFPwhile water bottles were thrown at stretcher bearers carrying a wounded Palestinian.

In Jerusalem, at least 79 people were injured during the day in various incidents, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent. About 60 detainees were registered by the police.

Most of the international community has never recognized Israel’s rule in East Jerusalem.

Authorities carefully followed the “March of the flags”.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called the anti-Arab chants a “disgrace.”

On the eve of the march, the prime minister of Israel, Naftali BennettHe warned that the police would have “zero tolerance” for Jewish extremists who seek to stir up tensions.

To this end, nearly 2,000 policemen were mobilized throughout Jerusalem.

Anticipating the clashes, in the Muslim quarter of the Old Citymost shops remained closed and residents were confined to their homes.

In some parts of East Jerusalem, many Palestinians place Palestinian flags on roofs and windows, as a sign of protest against this Israeli celebration.

Palestinians hope that one day East Jerusalem will be the capital of their state in the future.

During the march, thousands of participants – mostly Israeli Jewish men – crossed the Old City’s Damascus Gate, which is used by Palestinians and is a very symbolic place.

“This is our country and that’s it,” said Ofer Amar, an 18 -year -old Israeli AFP. “Palestinians are guests in our country.”

Hours before the march began, a far -right Israeli leader, Itamar Ben Gvir, and other nationalists visited the Temple Mount in East Jerusalem.

“I have come to support the security forces and I hope the police will bring order to Temple Mount (…) Now I have come to prove that we, the State of Israel, are sovereign here,” Itamar said. Ben Gvir.

The Esplanade it is at the heart of recent Israeli-Palestinian tensions in the Old City of Jerusalem.

It is the third holiest place for Islam and the holiest for Jews, calling it the Temple Mount. The current status quo states that Jews can enter the Esplanade but cannot pray there.

Palestinians consider the entry of Jews into the area a “provocation”, whose access is also controlled by Israeli forces.

On Sunday, about 1,800 non-Muslims, mostly tourists and Israelis, visited the esplanade, police said.

Last year, in day of jerusalem and after days of clashes between Israelis and Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas fired rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip, responding to air strikes against this Palestinian enclave.

Gaza is led by Hamas and has been under Israeli blockade for 15 years.

The war left 260 Palestinians dead, including 66 children, while 14 people died in Israel.

Managing the march is seen as a “personal” test for Bennett, who has held Israeli nationalist rights for years, according to the daily Yediot Aharonot.

According to analyst and former Israeli intelligence officer Shlomo Mofaz, Bennett estimates that “Hamas has no interest in another war and is now focused on rebuilding Gaza.”

But if there is violence in Jerusalem and Palestinian casualties, it could prompt Hamas or other Palestinian armed groups, such as Islamic Jihad, to change their mind, Mofaz said.

DB