Far-right marchers chanted anti-Arab slogans during a Jerusalem procession in the Old City on Monday, even as Israeli forces carried out an operation that killed a senior Hamas military chief in Gaza. The march escalated tensions in a city already on edge from months of conflict and security crackdowns.
Israeli police deployed large contingents around sensitive religious sites, seeking to prevent clashes between march participants and Palestinian residents. Witnesses reported provocative chants and confrontations in narrow alleys near holy places revered by multiple faiths. The demonstration occurred against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack.
Critics said permitting the march during active combat risked inflaming violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank. Palestinian leaders condemned the procession as incitement, while Israeli officials balanced free-expression claims with public order concerns. International observers warned that symbolic actions in Jerusalem can trigger wider unrest far beyond the Old City.
The killing of the Hamas commander the same day underscored parallel tracks of military operations and street-level nationalism. Security forces remained on alert for retaliatory attacks or stone-throwing incidents in East Jerusalem neighborhoods. Diplomats renewing ceasefire calls cited Jerusalem volatility as a complicating factor. The march’s slogans drew condemnation from human rights groups tracking rising discriminatory rhetoric amid the war.
Israeli police said deployments aimed to prevent clashes near the Al-Aqsa compound and surrounding lanes. Palestinian shopkeepers in the Old City often close early on days when nationalist marches are scheduled. Video circulated online showing marchers chanting slogans denounced by anti-racism groups. The same day, Israel announced it killed a Hamas military leader in Gaza, linking street nationalism with wartime operations.
UN officials have repeatedly warned that Jerusalem incidents can spark wider protests in the West Bank and beyond. Ceasefire diplomacy continues separately from municipal policing decisions on march permits. European diplomats in Jerusalem urged restraint and said provocative marches undermine efforts to calm tensions after months of war-related violence. Officials said additional information would be released when reviews are complete. Stakeholders continue to monitor developments and prepare responses for affected communities. Officials said additional information would be released when reviews are complete. Stakeholders continue to monitor developments and prepare responses for affected communities.
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Sources:
https://www.aljazeera.com/