**Far-Right Israelis Clash with Palestinians on Jerusalem Day**
A large crowd of far-right Israelis assaulted and insulted Palestinians during an annual parade to celebrate Jerusalem Day, a holiday marking Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967. The event turned violent when ultranationalist Jews flooded into Palestinian areas in the walled Old City.
As Israeli forces deployed police to quell the unrest, thousands of nationalist Israelis descended on the Damascus Gate, one of the main entrances to the Old City. Right-wing activists carried banners calling for the capture of Gaza and chanting anti-Palestinian slogans such as “May your village be burned” and “Your house will be ours.”
Witnesses reported that young Israeli men harassed Arab traders in the Muslim Quarter, who had not yet closed their shops. The violence was met with condemnation from Palestinian officials, who accused Israel of inciting hatred and racism.
**Leaders Weigh In**
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called the event a “festival based on hatred and racist” and denounced it as a “disgrace to Judaism.” Left-wing opposition leader Yair Glan described images of violence and destruction in the Old City, saying: “This is what racism, hatred, and bullying look like.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to keep Jerusalem “united and whole” under Israeli sovereignty. However, Lapid added that there’s nothing Jewish about this violence, and accused government ministers who remained silent on the issue of being complicit.
**Escalating Tensions**
The parade coincided with ongoing tensions in Gaza, where Israel launched a campaign against Palestinian militants in response to Hamas cross-border attacks in October 2023. The conflict has resulted in over 53,939 deaths, including 16,500 children, according to the health ministry of Gaza.
The visit by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a site considered holy by Jews and Muslims alike, was also met with condemnation from Palestinian officials. They accused Israel of provocative actions that threaten regional stability.
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this latest violence will impact the already fragile relationship between Israelis and Palestinians.
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