Many Israelis paraded on Monday, May 26 in Jerusalem-East on Monday, in an enameled march of fights with Palestinians, on the occasion of the annual celebrations that mark the occupation of Israel of the eastern part of the holy city.
The Israeli minister of the extreme right, Itamar Ben Gvir, went to the esplanade of the mosques in East Jerusalem, a visit considered as a provocation of the Palestinians and the Arab countries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to maintain “unified, indivisible and under the sovereignty of Israel”.
Palestinian merchants attacked
Israel conquered and annexed Jerusalem-Eest after the Israeli war in 1967, an annexation not recognized by the international community.
“Yom Yerushalaim” (“Jerusalem Day” in Hebrew) commemorates the Israelis which consider the “reunification” of the city.
Each year, on the occasion of this day, thousands of Israeli nationalists, mostly religious, walk in the streets of Jerusalem, even in the old town, brandishing Israeli flags.
On Monday afternoon, groups of young Israeli were seen attacking Palestinian merchants, passers -by, schools, but also to Israeli human rights and the police.
Some spit the passersby, pronounce insults and tried to force the entrance to the houses. Others have shouted “death to the Arabs”, or “Gaza is ours.” At night, great crowds gathered in the esplanade of mosques to celebrate the event there.
A “new unacceptable provocation”
Third sacred place of Islam and the most sacred site in Judaism, the esplanade is a dust manufacturer where the slightest incident can degenerate.
“I went up to the Temple Mount for Jerusalem Day and prayed for the victory in the War (in Gaza), for the return of all our hostages (…) Happy Jerusalem Day!” Wrote the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, in a message on Telegram, accompanied by photos that showed him on the site, designated under the name of the Jews.
Jordan, who manages the esplanade but whose entry points have been controlled by Israel since the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967, condemned “the practices of this extremist minister.” France has denounced a “new unacceptable provocation.”
The celebrations take place in the context of the war in the Gaza Strip, launched by the attack on Hamas in Israel on October 7, 2023.
In 2021, the Palestinian Islamist movement launched a rocket dam towards Jerusalem as walking began to go to the old town, which was followed by a 12 -day war between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli army reported three “projectiles” extracted from Gaza on Monday, saying that they had intercepted one of them and that the other two have “fallen” within the Palestinian territory.
The event marks “The day we conquer Jerusalem, the Mount of the Temple, The Wall of Voices” (Wall of Lamans), explains to the AFP Yosef Azoulai, 21, a student of a yéchiva, center of studies of rabbinic texts.
“We defeat our enemies that day. We all came, all the students of Yéchivas, united, to celebrate,” he added.
Until Monday morning, young groups gathered near Jaffa’s door, wearing white t -shirts, as is the case with this walk.
A “flower walk” to counteract nationalists
As in previous years, a “flower walk” was also organized by Israeli activists who wanted to counteract the nationalist march.
“We will give peace flowers to the residents of Jerusalem, especially the Muslims, the Christians,” said the organizer, Gadi Gvaryahu, who presides over Tag Meir, a feeding organization of NGO that works for a peaceful coexistence.
In the old town, the surprised Palestinians accepted the tense flowers. But an old man declined: “Do you see what is happening in Gaza? I’m sorry but I can’t accept.”
Later, teenagers who came to participate in the main walk tear the flowers. Police said “thousands” on Sunday from agents throughout the city to avoid incidents.
An Israeli giant flag was deployed on Sunday night on the esplanade of the wall of the doubts, while thousands of visitors were filled with the streets of the old town.
Source: BFM TV
