Thousands march through Jerusalem Old City amid provocative chantsprovocative chants
Thousands of Israeli nationalists marched through Jerusalem’s Old City on Thursday during the annual Jerusalem Day event, which marks Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war.
The procession passed through the Muslim Quarter under heavy security, and reports described anti-Palestinian slogans and residents staying indoors. The march matters because Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israeli nationalist participants
Supporters of the march see it as a celebration of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem and a public expression of national pride. Some participants framed the event as a statement that Israel’s control of the city should remain firm and visible.
Palestinian residents
Palestinian residents and critics view the march as a provocation in a densely populated area where many families live and work. The slogans reported during the procession reinforced concerns that the event is used to intimidate non-Jewish residents.
Israeli critics and rights advocates
Opponents inside Israel argue that the march should be rerouted or more tightly controlled to reduce the risk of violence and hate speech. They say the annual event reflects deeper tensions over equal rights, policing, and the future of the city.
- Jerusalem’s Old City covers less than one square kilometer but holds sites sacred to three major religions.
- The 1967 war reshaped the city’s political map and still drives much of today’s dispute over sovereignty.
- The Old City has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981, reflecting both its heritage value and fragility.
Israel-Hamas War
Israel and Hamas are in the second phase of the U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan, with the last living hostages already returned and Israel still holding a large security presence inside Gaza.[5][7][8] The main dispute now is over Hamas disarmament, the scope and pace of Israeli withdrawal, and who will govern Gaza after the fighting.
7 October
Hamas launches surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,300 people and taking hundreds of hostages2008-2009
Israel launches major military operation in Gaza; conflict kills hundreds and displaces thousands
