Jerusalem Day Flag March begins as Israelis and Palestinians brace for confrontation

Police have 3,000 officers on duty for Israeli nationalist rally that in 2021 started a war

Israelis clash with Palestinians near Damascus gate to Jerusalem's Old city ahead of the annual flag march which marks Jerusalem Day, in Jerusalem May 18, 2023. REUTERS / Ronen Zvulun

Israel said it had more than 3,000 police officers on duty on Thursday, as a march by Jewish nationalists took place through the main Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalem’s Old City.

The march comes less than a week after a ceasefire ended five days of fighting between Israeli forces and Gaza militants.

Despite calls from many Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the international community, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday promised to allow thousands of flag-waving marchers – mostly from the far-right – to gather at the Damascus Gate and then proceed past Al Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam and a recurring flashpoint for tensions.

The Flag March takes place on Jerusalem Day, which celebrates Israel’s victory in the 1967 war and subsequent control of the city.

This year, some Palestinians said they would avoid the area, even if it affected their businesses.

"I’m closing early because of the Flag March," Gabi, a Palestinian restaurant owner at the Jaffa Gate told The National.

"I need to take precautionary measures to secure the safety of my workers and the premises. Public transport for my staff is also going to be disrupted. I would rather lose money than the safety of my workers."

Early on Thursday, hundreds of Jews entered Al Aqsa Mosque compound, a place considered holy in Islam and Judaism. Among them was at least one Israeli cabinet minister from the country's right-wing government, according to Jewish activists leading the visits.

The UAE condemned the storming of the mosque, calling on the Israeli government to "halt escalation and avoid taking steps to exacerbate tension and instability in the region."

The march has been characterised in recent years by racist anti-Arab chants and violence towards local Palestinians.

Damascus Gate and surrounding streets were relatively calm on Thursday afternoon, despite fears that a far-right nationalist march through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter would lead to violent clashes between far-right Israelis and Palestinians.

After chaos in recent years, it appeared that many of the area’s Arab residents were staying away. The few that kept shops open in the morning had mostly shuttered them by mid-afternoon.

Crowds had grown by 6 pm and marchers threw bottles and wooden sticks at Palestinians who had gathered to watch nearby, lightly injuring two.

Israeli police say they detained two suspects for the attacks, an adult and a minor. The minor was found to be carrying a knife, authorities said.

Ayman, a Palestinian in the Old City, said Palestinians were not to blame for violence in years past.

"We are the ones being provoked and persecuted. If I want to go to the Western Wall, I can’t. But they come to the holiest places for Muslims in Palestine, under police protection," he said.

"Only 5 per cent or 10 per cent allow their children out on the street today. I for my part am keeping mine home."

Zeev, a student at a Jewish religious school originally from London, said he might attend the march and complained of not being able to walk through the Muslim Quarter of the city.

"If the Arabs and Jews would just live peacefully, then a march like this wouldn’t be a provocation ... I’ve been smashed up, kicked and have had rocks thrown at me," he said.

"This is the Jewish land. We own this place. But [Palestinians] could even join this march, if they support Israel, although I’m sure barely any do."

In 2021, the march was in part blamed for starting an 11-day war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas, which led to the deaths of 12 Israelis and about 260 Palestinians.

The Gaza-based militant group has urged Palestinians to confront Israeli marchers this year, and has warned Israel not to cross "red lines".

Jerusalem’s police are shutting down city centre streets and even preparing for potential rocket fire, although they maintain it is unlikely.

Despite the risks, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a hero of the country’s far right, is expected to attend, along with other far-right Israeli government ministers. There are also fears he might try to enter Al Aqsa compound.

Mr Ben-Gvir's wife visited the site on Thursday morning. Israeli police say they will not allow marchers into the area.

A Gaza-based group previously responsible for launching incendiary balloons into Israel says it will operate on Thursday.

There are also fears that the provocative march could spark violence in Israeli cities that have large Arab populations, as happened in 2021.

The march ends at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism.

Gabi, the restaurant owner, said he did not expect this year's march to have consequences as dire as in 2021.

"But if the marchers enter the Al Aqsa Mosque and make provocations, there will probably be a quick reply," he said.

On Tuesday, a senior official in the US State Department said Washington urges "parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric and activities that would inflame tensions”.