Jerusalem Day was commemorated in Israel on Monday for the second time since the beginning of the Gaza war, when tensions and security were both high. The Israeli police put thousands of officers in the Old City ahead of the annual “Flag March,” a celebration of Israel’s taking of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Yom Yerushalayim, the term in Hebrew, is seen by Israelis as a day of the city’s reunification but by Palestinians as a reminder of occupation and insult.
Thousands of mostly Jewish believers in nationalism march through Jerusalem, among them, in parts of the city inhabited predominantly by Muslims. The parade finishes at the Western Wall, which holds great religious meaning for Jews. The events were launched on Sunday night, as thousands of people displayed a giant Israeli flag beside the Western Wall. Local Palestinian businesses are many times told to close their doors during the march, leading to even greater tension.
According to East Jerusalem’s Palestinian residents, who consider it their future capital, the annual march filled with racist slogans feels highly threatening. During the event, it’s common for fights and disagreements to happen. A year ago, two journalists, along with a Palestinian photographer, were hit by teenage marchers.
This year’s observance is more touched by sensitive feelings since it is taking place as Israel fights Hamas in Gaza following last October’s deadly day. Increasingly strong right-wing voices in Israel are demanding the annexation of land in the Palestinian territories.
The political significance grew when the Israeli cabinet met close to the Old City in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Silwan on Monday. You can find the famous City of David archaeological site here, connected with biblical Jerusalem.
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