- Before the controversial flag march in Jerusalem, confrontations broke out on the Temple Mount on Sunday.
- Palestinians clashes with Jewish visitors, police confirmed.
Around 1800 Jews visited the holy site. Some of them waved Israeli flags and prayed, in violation of the rules. They were removed from the Temple Mount. After the confrontations, there were some arrests, the police said.
High alert
The Temple Mount (Al-Haram al-Sharif) with the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. But the Temple Mount is also sacred for the Jews because there used to be two Jewish temples there. It is under Muslim administration while Israel is responsible for security. According to an agreement with the Muslim authorities, Jews can visit the facility but not pray there.
Legend:
Demonstrators with Israeli flags march through the Old City of Jerusalem.
key stone
Fearing an escalation, Israel’s police have been put on high alert before the controversial flag march in Jerusalem. Around 3,000 security forces are to secure the march of nationalist Israelis in the afternoon. The march also passes through the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City, which Palestinians see as a provocation.
Is the situation escalating like last year?
The march has been held annually on Jerusalem Day for decades. It celebrates Israel’s conquest of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. The Palestinians see the Arabic-influenced eastern part of Jerusalem as the future capital of their own state.
Before the march, the ruling Hamas in the Gaza Strip had threatened a violent reaction. Last year, the May 10 flag march was canceled due to Hamas rocket attacks on Jerusalem. Israel then attacked targets in the Gaza Strip. 255 Palestinians were killed during an 11-day conflict. 14 people died in Israel.