JERUSALEM: Thousands of Israeli colonists, escorted by Israeli police, stormed the Old City of occupied Jerusalem this evening, commencing the annual flag-waving march which celebrates the anniversary of Israel’s occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem.
Entering through Jaffa Gate and Damascus Gate, they marched through the Old City neighborhoods to the Western Wall Plaza, adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
This march, known as the Flag March, is an annual event that marks the anniversary of the 1967 occupation of Jerusalem.
The march saw participation from several Israeli government ministers and Knesset members, including the ultranationalist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu, and Transportation Minister Miri Regev.
During the provocative march, colonists attacked numerous Jerusalem residents and journalists, resulting in several injuries. The assaults involved both colonists and Israeli police, with some colonists reportedly
armed. Israeli police arrested several local Palestinians, including children, following the attacks.
Local sources reported that colonists and police targeted journalists, both Palestinian and international, attempting to disrupt their coverage. Among the assaulted journalists were Saif al-Qawasmi, Diala Jweihan, Ghassan Abu Eid, and Layali Abu Eid. The attackers also attempted to steal journalists’ equipment.
The colonists chanted inflammatory and racist slogans against Palestinians and Arabs, waved Israeli flags, performed provocative dances, and displayed a banner denouncing the International Court of Justice.
In a press conference held at Damascus Gate, hard-right Minister Ben-Gvir declared, “We succeeded in changing the status quo in Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque today.”
The Palestinian Governorate of Jerusalem responded to Ben-Gvir’s statement, asserting that it “is further evidence of the Netanyahu government’s insistence on altering the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem.”
Source:
Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA