On Jerusalem Day, far-right Israelis marched through the Old City, chanting aggressive slogans that targeted Palestinians. The event attracted condemnation from Israeli opposition leaders, as clashes broke out in a city already fraught with discord due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Tensions Rise in Jerusalem as Far-Right Marchers Confront Palestinians on Jerusalem Day
Tensions Rise in Jerusalem as Far-Right Marchers Confront Palestinians on Jerusalem Day
Violence erupts during an annual Jerusalem Day parade, escalating tensions between far-right Israelis and Palestinians amid ongoing conflict.
Crowds of far-right Israelis engaged in violent confrontations with Palestinians during an annual Jerusalem Day parade held on Monday in the walled Old City of Jerusalem. The march commemorates the Israeli capture of predominantly Palestinian East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, with participants shouting slogans that included "death to Arabs." Notable figures like Opposition Leader Yair Lapid described the event as a "festival of hatred and racism," expressing that it was a disgrace to Judaism.
As tensions flared, Israeli police were deployed to manage the situation, particularly around the historic Damascus Gate. Thousands of nationalist Israelis gathered, many waving banners with provocative slogans such as "67 - Jerusalem in our hands; 2025 - Gaza in our hands." Reports indicated that local Arab traders faced harassment from aggressive marchers, including chants threatening violence against Palestinian villages.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir addressed the crowd, advocating for the death penalty for "terrorists" and visiting the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a flashpoint site for religious contention. A representative from the Palestinian presidency condemned both the march's hostility and Ben Gvir's actions at Al-Aqsa, warning that they jeopardize regional stability amid an ongoing military conflict in Gaza.
In a cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to keeping Jerusalem "united" under Israeli sovereignty. Opposition leaders, including Yair Golan and Lapid, decried the violent imagery and called for Jerusalem to be inclusive for all its residents, stressing the need for peaceful coexistence among Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
This year’s Jerusalem Day coincided with escalating military actions in Gaza following Hamas's attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in significant casualties. The latest reports indicate that over 53,900 people, including many civilians, have died in Gaza since the outbreak of hostilities, deepening the crisis and raising the stakes of the annual parade's symbolism.
