Israeli nationalists marched through Palestinian areas of Jerusalem shouting inflammatory slogans while security forces struggled to maintain order during the annual Jerusalem Day celebration.
At a Glance
- Israeli nationalists celebrated Jerusalem Day commemorating Israel’s 1967 capture of East Jerusalem
- Participants chanted inflammatory slogans including “Death to Arabs” while marching through Muslim neighborhoods
- Palestinian shopkeepers closed early while police deployed to prevent violence
- National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the contested Temple Mount, heightening tensions
- A group including an Israeli legislator entered a UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem
Jerusalem Day March Descends Into Chaos
Israeli nationalists and religious Jews marked Jerusalem Day with a march through East Jerusalem’s Muslim neighborhoods. Tour buses brought ultranationalist Jews from across Israel, including West Bank settlements, to participate in the annual event celebrating Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. The march has increasingly been dominated by nationalist and religious youth who view the day as an opportunity to assert Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem.
Palestinian shopkeepers in the Old City shuttered their businesses early as marchers approached. This precautionary measure has become common during Jerusalem Day celebrations, which have historically turned violent. Police deployed in force throughout the route, attempting to maintain order as thousands of flag-waving marchers made their way through the narrow streets of Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter.
Inflammatory Rhetoric Inflames Tensions
Young Israeli marchers chanted provocative slogans including “Death to Arabs” and “May your village burn” as they paraded through predominantly Palestinian neighborhoods. These inflammatory chants have become a hallmark of recent Jerusalem Day marches, drawing criticism from peace advocates. Police detained several individuals in an attempt to prevent direct confrontations between marchers and local residents.
Pro-peace organizations attempted to mediate between marchers and Palestinian residents, positioning volunteers along the route to de-escalate potential confrontations. Despite these efforts, Israeli police scuffled with some Israeli youth participants, and reports emerged of a Palestinian man requiring police assistance after being pushed by marchers. The volatile atmosphere reflects the deeply contested nature of Jerusalem, which Israel considers its undivided capital while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.
Controversial Visits to Contested Sites
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir heightened tensions by visiting the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif. Ben-Gvir’s visit to the contested holy site came amid statements suggesting a change to the status quo regarding Jewish prayer there. The site, housing Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, is administered by a Jordanian Islamic foundation under arrangements that have limited Jewish prayer there since 1967.
“We are marking a holiday for Jerusalem, There are truly many Jews flooding the Temple Mount. How nice to see that.”, said Itamar Ben-Gvir.
In a separate incident, Israeli protesters including a legislator entered a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem. Israel has accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas, allegations the UN agency denies. The unauthorized entry into the international compound further complicated the already tense situation and highlighted the ongoing disputes over jurisdiction in East Jerusalem, which the international community generally does not recognize as sovereign Israeli territory.
Historical Context and Future Concerns
Jerusalem Day marches have previously sparked broader regional violence, including an 11-day war with Gaza four years ago. Security officials expressed concern that this year’s march could trigger another round of hostilities, particularly given the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While many Israelis view Jerusalem Day as a joyous celebration of the city’s reunification, Palestinians and human rights groups criticize the provocative nature of routing the march through Palestinian neighborhoods.
Despite the prime minister’s office insisting there has been no change to the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites, Ben-Gvir’s statements and actions suggest otherwise. His claim that “today, thank God, it is possible to pray on the Temple Mount” contradicts official policy. Such statements further complicate diplomatic efforts to maintain calm in a city central to both Israeli and Palestinian national identities and religious significance to Jews, Muslims, and Christians worldwide.