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19-05-2023
JERUSALEM: Israeli authorities have beefed up security in Jerusalem, particularly in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, ahead of the annual “flag day” march by Orthodox Jews and settlers amid an already tense situation in the occupied Palestinian territories.
More than 2,000 police were deployed as flag-bearing marchers slowly began to gather early on Thursday near the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound to participate in the parade, which celebrates the capture in 1967 of East Jerusalem and its subsequent occupation.
Israel’s annexation of occupied East Jerusalem and its Old City has never been recognized by the international community.
Tens of thousands of Israeli nationalists are expected to participate in the march that has witnessed violence in the past few years as marchers have used provocations against Palestinians, including slogans such as “Death to Arabs”.
Riot police stood on guard in anticipation of any potential unrest, but the compound Islam’s third holiest site was still fairly empty in the early hours of the day.
Meanwhile, Israeli authorities prevented Palestinian worshippers under the age of 50 from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque to perform dawn prayers.
A line had begun forming early on Thursday to the entrance to the compound which Jews refer to as the “Temple Mount”, believing that it is where the first and second ancient Jewish temples once stood.
Some Orthodox Jews danced in a circle chanting “Rebuild the temple!” One riot police officer, wearing a kippah symbolizing he is an Orthodox Jew was seen dancing with some of the marchers.
While those entering the compound have been instructed to not carry their flags inside or do anything to incite violence, one man slipped into the crowd wearing a provocative shirt, with the image of Al-Aqsa Mosque being destroyed by a fist next to a hand holding up a new Jewish temple.
Another man had a sticker emblazoned on his shirt that read “Temple Mount is in our hands” as Orthodox Jews were entering the compound under police protection. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
