Thousands of Israelis marched in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday, marking the Israeli occupation of the eastern part of the city, amid fears of new clashes with Palestinians who see the celebrations as a challenge.
All Israel celebrates #JerusallemDay. Heres video of the flag parade now in the city of Lod. pic.twitter.com/NwYlMMEu8v
– Kilkenny Friends of Israel (@KilkennyOf) May 29, 2022
There was a lot of tension in Jerusalem on Sunday before the annual procession, which left the center of Jerusalem to end at the Wall of Tears, the holiest place of worship of Judaism under the Mosque Square, began around 4 pm. The procession crossed the Old City, located in East Jerusalem, an area occupied by Israel in 1967 and annexed to its territory.
1/6 Approximately 3,000 Israel Police officers operated to secure the events of Jerusalem Day 2022 from the early morning and throughout the day. A short time ago, the Jerusalem Day Flag Parade ended. Over 70,000 participants from across the country attended the parade pic.twitter.com/XKcoKTlK3g
– Israel Police (@israelpolice) May 29, 2022
Israelis, including many young people and nationalists, entered the Old City through the “Damascus Gate” leading to the Muslim quarter.
“This day honors the liberation of our ancient city, our ancient capital, Jerusalem,” said Jonathan Bnidick, who was in the crowd.
עימותים אלימים בשער שכם בין ערבים ליהודים, הרבה מאוד גז באוויר פה pic.twitter.com/nvDtCRQPAG
– ha גולדברג (@haim_goldberg) May 29, 2022
“This is our country, period and hyphen! The Palestinians are just invited,” Ofer Amar, another 18-year-old Israeli, told AFP.
Short-lived clashes broke out between Palestinian and Israeli police in front of the “Damascus Gate”, according to a French Agency photographer at the scene. In the same place, members of the anti-Arab hooligan group “La Familia” shouted “Death to the Arabs”, according to witnesses.
The bomber struck shortly after noon in front of a crowd of 5,000, killing at least two Palestinians and wounding dozens more, police said.
Across Jerusalem, at least 40 people were injured Sunday in separate incidents, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.
A small drone with a Palestinian flag flew briefly over the “Damascus Gate” before police returned it to the ground.
The majority of traders closed their shops in the Muslim quarter and the residents stayed in their homes. On the street, before the march, dozens of young Jewish nationalists sang nationalist chants and danced holding Israeli flags in front of Palestinians.
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