Concern prevails in occupied Jerusalem and other cities following the announcement of an annual march of “flags” to commemorate the anniversary of the Israeli occupation of the entire city of Jerusalem, the organizers of which intend to pass through the Arab quarters of the Old City.
Legal attempts to ban the march have failed: Supporters say it’s a legitimate celebration of a singular moment in Jewish history, but for Palestinians, it’s a blatant provocation and a clear violation of one of the few places in the city that still retains a strong Arab flavor.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett defended the security forces’ decision to allow Sunday’s march to enter Bab el-Amoud and pass through the Muslim Quarter, ignoring calls from some members of his ruling coalition to avoid sensitive areas. don’t go to the Temple Mount.
“Jerusalem is not on the table for Israel, for the Palestinians, Jerusalem is the table and what is on it,” said Daniel Seidman, an Israeli lawyer and Palestinian rights activist in East Jerusalem.
In April, during the month of Ramadan, frequent clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque when Muslims were outraged by an increase in the number of Jewish visitors to the mosque.
Chaos erupted two weeks ago when police attacked mourners at the funeral of Al Jazeera journalist Shirin Abu Akle, who was killed in an Israeli army raid in the West Bank.
A prominent member of the Israeli Knesset from the ruling coalition said this week that continuing Sunday’s rally in its current form is fraught with dangers in light of tensions.
While these concerns are underscored, the US Embassy in Jerusalem on Sunday banned government employees and their families from entering the Old City and said the Bab el-Amud area was off-limits until further notice.
