RAMALLAH: On the eve of the Jerusalem “flag day” march, tensions have been operating excessive throughout Israel, the West Financial institution and the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. They threatened to disrupt the ceasefire settlement between Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Israel, amid fears of violent clashes in Jerusalem.
Thursday afternoon’s march is an annual Israeli, far-right parade that celebrates the seize in 1967 of East Jerusalem and its subsequent occupation, which the Israeli authorities refers to because the “reunification” of Jerusalem.
On Wednesday, Israeli police ramped up safety in East Jerusalem and the Outdated Metropolis, with navy checkpoints arrange alongside principal roads and three,000 personnel deployed to safe the route of the march.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned his authorities wouldn’t alter the route of the controversial march and so it would cross by way of the Damascus Gate and the Outdated Metropolis.
Israeli sources mentioned seven ministers and members of the Knesset belonging to the ruling coalition would be part of the march, led by Nationwide Safety Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
“Tomorrow, with God’s assist, we’ll rejoice Jerusalem Day in our everlasting capital,” Ben-Gvir mentioned. “Now we have deployed our guards to safe the march, and tomorrow Jerusalem shall be lined in blue and white.”
Jewish “Temple” organizations and settler teams reportedly sought to recruit greater than 5,000 settlers to storm the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque forward of the provocative march.
The Palestinian presidency mentioned the choice to not reroute the march away from Jerusalem’s Outdated Metropolis was a deliberate provocation.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesperson for the presidency, mentioned the calls from extremists to storm Al-Aqsa would ignite the area, with dire penalties. He mentioned the Israeli authorities was absolutely liable for the escalation in tensions that would result in an explosion of violence.
The federal government’s actions confirms its acquiescence to the calls for of extremists, he added. He known as on the administration of US President Joe Biden to show its phrases into actions by clearly and admittedly condemning such Israeli provocations.
The Palestinian International Ministry mentioned Thursday’s march provides conclusive proof to assist these in Israel and throughout the worldwide group perceive that Jerusalem is occupied, not unified, and stays an integral a part of the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
In the meantime, there have been requires Palestinians within the West Financial institution, the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem and inside Israel to boost the Palestinian flag in any respect doable places, and show it on-line, in response to Israel’s “flag day” provocations.
Khaled Al-Kurdi, an activist in Jerusalem’s Outdated Metropolis, instructed Arab Information the scenario there may be tense and Israeli police have been forcing about 1,500 outlets within the Outdated Metropolis and at Damascus Gate to shut.
“The scenario is agitated as all the Israeli excessive proper shall be current within the Outdated Metropolis to impose a fait accompli that they management East Jerusalem,” he mentioned.
About 350,000 Palestinians stay in East Jerusalem. Hazem Qassem, a spokesperson for Hamas, described the march as inciteful and mentioned it will pressure Hamas to answer the “Israeli try to alter and implement a Jewish identification on the town of Jerusalem … which incorporates Muslim and Christian holy websites.”
Kamal Al-Khatib, the deputy head of the Islamic Motion in Israel, known as for the march to be confronted and for Al-Aqsa Mosque to be defended from Judaization efforts by settlers.
“Tomorrow, Al-Aqsa shall be uncovered to new provocations,” he mentioned.
Shawky Allam, a senior cleric from Egypt, warned that the march may inflame tensions and create an environment of confrontation.
Between 100,000 and 200,000 younger Orthodox Jewish males are anticipated to participate within the march. The Israeli military has strengthened its Iron Dome protection system over fears of rocket assaults from the Gaza Strip in response to the march.
The White Home urged Israelis and Palestinians to stay calm and restrained and keep away from any actions or rhetoric surrounding the march that would trigger tensions to rise.