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Jerusalem tensions high ahead of Israeli youth Flag March Jerusalem tensions high ahead of Israeli youth Flag March
(about 2 hours later)
Marchers will pass through the Muslim Quarter of the Old CityMarchers will pass through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City
Thousands of Israeli Jews are due to hold a march through Muslim areas in Jerusalem's Old City amid Palestinian warnings it could trigger violence.Thousands of Israeli Jews are due to hold a march through Muslim areas in Jerusalem's Old City amid Palestinian warnings it could trigger violence.
The annual event comes at a time of particularly high tensions following months of deadly incidents.The annual event comes at a time of particularly high tensions following months of deadly incidents.
The Flag March takes place on Israel's Jerusalem Day, celebrating its capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war.The Flag March takes place on Israel's Jerusalem Day, celebrating its capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war.
Israel regards the whole of Jerusalem as its capital, something rejected by most countries and the Palestinians.Israel regards the whole of Jerusalem as its capital, something rejected by most countries and the Palestinians.
The status of the city goes to the heart of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinians claim Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of a future hoped-for state of their own, though Israel says the city will never be redivided.The status of the city goes to the heart of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The Palestinians claim Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem as the capital of a future hoped-for state of their own, though Israel says the city will never be redivided.
There were skirmishes at a flashpoint holy site in the Old City on Sunday morning when Palestinians threw fireworks and rocks at police and towards a gate where Jewish visitors were preparing to enter the grounds, police said. Video showed police firing what appeared to be stun grenades amid reports that masked Palestinians had taken cover inside the Qibli (also known as al-Aqsa) mosque. There were skirmishes at a flashpoint holy site in the Old City on Sunday morning when Palestinians threw fireworks and rocks at police, who fired what appeared to be stun grenades.
The site is known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), and the mosque is the third holiest place in Islam. The same hilltop complex is known to Jews as the Temple Mount and is the holiest place in Judaism. Shortly after, large groups of Jewish visitors, including far-right MP Itamar Ben Gvir, arrived at the site, where some danced, waved Israeli flags and appeared to pray, before being stopped by police. Palestinians view such actions as deliberately provocative and militant groups had warned they would not tolerate it.
Last year, a devastating 11-day conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza erupted on Jerusalem Day when Gaza's Hamas rulers fired rockets towards the city after Israeli police and Palestinians clashed at the holy site. On Saturday Hamas called on Palestinians "to rise up on Sunday to defend Jerusalem and the al-Aqsa mosque". Jews and other non-Muslims are allowed to visit the site at certain times but are forbidden to pray or display any religious or national symbols under a long-standing agreement with the Muslim authority which administers the compound.
The site is known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), and contains the al-Aqsa (Qibli) mosque, the third holiest place in Islam. The same hilltop complex is known to Jews as the Temple Mount and is the holiest place in Judaism.
Last year, a devastating 11-day conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza erupted on Jerusalem Day when Gaza's Hamas rulers fired rockets towards the city after Israeli police and Palestinians clashed at the holy site.
This year marchers are being allowed to enter the Old City through Damascus Gate which leads into the Muslim Quarter - a decision which was condemned by Palestinians. Last year marchers were not allowed to use this route due to the volatile situation.This year marchers are being allowed to enter the Old City through Damascus Gate which leads into the Muslim Quarter - a decision which was condemned by Palestinians. Last year marchers were not allowed to use this route due to the volatile situation.
Jerusalem holy site clashes fuel fears of return to warJerusalem holy site clashes fuel fears of return to war
Most of the marchers will pass through Damascus Gate, while a smaller number will enter through Jaffa Gate between the Christian and Armenian Quarters, with both converging at the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter.Most of the marchers will pass through Damascus Gate, while a smaller number will enter through Jaffa Gate between the Christian and Armenian Quarters, with both converging at the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter.
The march traditionally sees thousands of young Jews, many waving Israeli flags, dance and sing patriotic songs as they stream through the patchwork of alleyways which run through the historic four quarters. Palestinians view the event as a provocation.The march traditionally sees thousands of young Jews, many waving Israeli flags, dance and sing patriotic songs as they stream through the patchwork of alleyways which run through the historic four quarters. Palestinians view the event as a provocation.
This year's march is taking place amid an already highly charged atmosphere between Israel and the Palestinians.This year's march is taking place amid an already highly charged atmosphere between Israel and the Palestinians.
A wave of deadly attacks on Israelis by Palestinians or Israeli Arabs, and the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, including attackers, militants and civilians, by Israeli forces has fuelled anger on both sides.A wave of deadly attacks on Israelis by Palestinians or Israeli Arabs, and the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, including attackers, militants and civilians, by Israeli forces has fuelled anger on both sides.
It also follows recriminations over the killing of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Aqla, shot dead while reporting on an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank on 11 May.It also follows recriminations over the killing of Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Aqla, shot dead while reporting on an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank on 11 May.
Palestinian investigators have concluded that she was shot by an Israeli soldier "with the aim of killing". Israel has dismissed this as a "blatant lie", saying the Palestinians' refusal to co-operate in a joint investigation makes it so far impossible to determine whether Abu Aqla was killed by a soldier or Palestinian militant.Palestinian investigators have concluded that she was shot by an Israeli soldier "with the aim of killing". Israel has dismissed this as a "blatant lie", saying the Palestinians' refusal to co-operate in a joint investigation makes it so far impossible to determine whether Abu Aqla was killed by a soldier or Palestinian militant.
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Tour guide Shraga Ben Yosef provides a quick trip around Jerusalem's holiest sitesTour guide Shraga Ben Yosef provides a quick trip around Jerusalem's holiest sites