High tensions ahead of Israel’s hard-fought Israeli march in the New Israel-Palestine conflict
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There was great tension on Tuesday when Israeli nationalists gathered in a controversial march across East Jerusalem in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The so-called Flag March celebrates the anniversary of Israel occupying the eastern sector of the city in 1967.
“The right to demonstrate is a right in every democracy,” Israeli Interior Minister Omer Bar-Lev said. “The police are ready and we will do everything in our power to preserve the delicate thread of coexistence.”
The fact that Israel has annexed East Jerusalem since the six-day war of 1967 is not recognized by most international communities, which says that the city’s final status should be a matter of negotiation between the two sides.
The Palestinians claim the eastern sector of the city as the capital of the future state.
Here are the latest updates:
‘Clear provocation,’ says the Israeli councilor
Jerusalem City Councilor Laura Wharton told the Associated Press that she thought the planned march was “completely ridiculous”.
“It’s a clear provocation from far-right wingers who aren’t happy with a lot of things that aren’t happy with the government and that will create frustration against the residents of the Old Town,” Wharton said.
The march is an early test for the fragile Israeli government, which vows on Sunday and brings together parties across the political spectrum.
The cancellation of the march would open Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other right-wing members of the coalition to harsh criticism from those they saw as a capitulation to the Hamas authorities in Gaza.
The Iron Dome defense system was ready in southern Israel
Iron Dome missile defense systems could be seen in southern Israel as the army deployed major tensions with Palestinians on the Jerusalem and Gaza Strip.
The decision by the new Israeli government to accept the conflicting parade of Israeli nationalists through the Palestinian environs of the Old City of Jerusalem raises the possibility of a renewed Hamas 11-day war and a few weeks of renewed confrontation.
Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system launched on May 11 to detect rockets fired from Gaza Strip in Ashkelon [File: Ariel Schalit/AP]
‘Palestinians very angry’
Hussein Nasser Ed Din, a 35-year-old Shuafat in occupied East Jerusalem, said there could be major problems if more people gathered at the Damascus Gate to fight the Israeli march.
But he said there are plenty of police who will prevent people from reaching. Most of the problems will be in the Old Town, as suggested by the logistics manager with the local media.
“Palestinians are very angry. People are terrified of losing their home forced expulsions and demolition, ”Eddin told Al Jazeera.
Khalid Alian, 26, of Jabal al-Mukabera, also accused Israeli settlers of forcing Palestinians out of their homes.
“This is our land and the settlers take our land and take away our future and dreams. Eight of my friends were killed by Israeli soldiers. If you had documents proving ownership of your land, how would you feel if you were thrown into the way of the settlers?” He asked.
Khalid Alian Jabal al-Mukaber in East Jerusalem [Al Jazeera]
Israel covers thousands more police before the march
Israeli police have said they will deploy 2,000 forces to support participants in the planned “flag march” in occupied East Jerusalem.
According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, police forces will be deployed around the routes that participants will take during the march.
The announcer said that the Israeli Police also decided to strengthen the force in the face of violence in mixed cities inside Israel.
Palestinians are fighting Israeli police during a visit by members of the Israeli right-wing Knesset to the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. [File: Sebastian Scheiner/AP]
‘All options are on the table,’ Hamas warns
When last week’s march was announced, Hamas senior official Khalil Hayya warned that it could lead to a return to the violence that killed 256 people in Gaza last month and more than 11 people in Israel.
Hamas spokesman Mohammed Hamadeh said mediators had been in contact with Palestinian armed groups in recent days to call for “no military escalation at the base of the march.”
“However, all the options are on the table,” Hamadeh said.
The conflict began last month after Hamas gave Israel time to withdraw its forces from the firing points in East Jerusalem, firing a rocket at Israel when the ultimatum was ignored.
Hamas senior official Khalil Hayya warns that march by tough Israelis could lead to a return to violence [File: Mohammed Salem/Reuters]
Israeli settlers begin gathering for a nationalist march
Israeli settlers began arriving at noon while escorting police in clothes.
Highly armed paramilitary border police and other forces marched through the city streets, setting up checkpoints and blocking roads east of Jerusalem.
Iron fences were placed outside the entrance to the Damascus Gate, where Palestinians were said to gather to confront the Israelis.
Young Palestinian men were staring at street corners, and Palestinian shop owners began to close their businesses. Protests against the march were expected after the noon prayers against the march.
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered in the morning inside the Al-Aqsa mosque to prevent settlers from trying to enter. Bus loads were coming from inside Israel.
Activists say that if the Israeli settlers move away from the complex, the clashes will be less intense. A group of young boys shouted slogans and refused to leave as the police were around.
Right-wing Israelis participate in the Jerusalem Day march every year [File: Ariel Schalit/AP]
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