Tens of thousands of settlers participated in the Israeli so-called “media march” in occupied Jerusalem, Thursday evening, while settlers, under the protection of the occupation police, assaulted Palestinian youths in the Old City, prior to the start of the march, and in conjunction with it, some of which affected journalists.
The “flags’ march” took place in the Al-Sawwana neighborhood in the town of Al-Tur, in Jerusalem, in conjunction with the massive deployment of the Israeli occupation police and border guards to secure it, amid anticipation and caution for the repercussions of the provocative march.
Ministers and members of Knesset from the government coalition participated in the “March of the Flags”, headed by the extremist Minister of “National Security” Itamar Ben Gvir, and the Minister of Finance of the extremist occupation, Bezalel Smotrich.
Jerusalemite sources said that the occupation forces closed the entrances leading to the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. To secure the settlers participating in the “flag march”, its snipers were deployed on the fences, while other forces were summoned to bring waste water to the vicinity of Damascus Gate.
This march organized by the Israelis on the anniversary of the “unification of Jerusalem”, which they consider the capital of their state, angers the Palestinians, who seek that East Jerusalem be the capital of their future state.
The march was preceded by 1,262 settlers storming the courtyards of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, under the protection of the Israeli occupation police, who emptied the mosque of worshipers, and removed the young men from the path of the incursions, amid strict security measures.
The extremist “Temple” groups announced a few days ago their intention to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque as part of their activities during the “flag march”, by mobilizing 5,000 extremist settlers.
These groups submitted an official request to allow extremist settlers to enter Al-Aqsa as part of the “March of the Flags” path, through the Lions’ Gate, instead of the Mughrabi Gate, but media sources confirmed that this request would not be approved.