Thousands of Israeli settlers have assembled in the occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City’s Bab al Amud area (Damascus Gate) to take part in a controversial flag march across the city amid heightened tensions.
The march was organised by settlers on Sunday to celebrate what they term the “Day of Unification Jerusalem,” which refers to Israel’s 1967 occupation of the city. The event is seen as a provocation by Palestinians.
The masses, which were mostly young Orthodox Jewish men, marched through the Muslim Quarter in a show of power that threatened to rekindle the city’s violent situation.
Thousands of police and security personnel were deployed by Israel for the celebration, and scuffles between settlers and Palestinian residents of occupied East Jerusalem were reported on an irregular basis.
At least 62 Palestinians were injured in assaults by Israeli police and settlers in occupied East Jerusalem’s Old City, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Israeli police allegedly used batons, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas canisters against Palestinians in the city, according to the report.
Hundreds of Israeli settlers stormed the Al Aqsa Mosque complex in occupied East Jerusalem earlier on Sunday.
Racist slogans
Thousands of people usually march through the Muslim Quarter before proceeding to the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter on the opposite side of the Old City.
Despite recent unrest, Israeli leaders opted to hold the march along its regular path into the Muslim Quarter this year.
According to witnesses, settlers sang pro-Israeli slogans and rants against Palestinians and Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
Before entering the Old City, a big group screamed “Death to Arabs” and “Let your village burn down.”
Following clashes during last year’s flag march, Israel launched an 11-day offensive on Gaza, killing over 260 Palestinians and injuring thousands more.
During the fighting, thirteen Israelis were also wounded by Palestinian fire from Gaza. The worst bloodshed in years came to an end due to an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire.
During the 1967 Six-Day War, Israel conquered East Jerusalem, including the Al Aqsa Mosque. In 1980, it annexed the entire city, a move that was never acknowledged by the international world.
(With inputs from TRT, TOG and others)
The Chenab Times News Desk