Many videos circulating online show Palestinian residents being beaten indiscriminately, while Israeli soldiers and police look on and participate in the violence.
Israeli Extremists Attack and Beat Palestinian Residents of Jerusalem in “Flag March”
Many videos circulating online show Palestinian residents being beaten indiscriminately, while Israeli soldiers and police look on and participate in the violence.
The Israeli “Flag March”, a controversial rally held annually on Israel’s “Jerusalem Day”, marks the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967 – and in the continuation of previous years, is already witnessing heavy brutality committed by Israelis towards Palestinian civilians.
In the past, this day has been heavily associated with grotesque examples of Israeli racism, attacks, and dominance over Palestinians both in Jerusalem and across the occupied territories.
Last year in 2022, there were examples of assaults on Palestinians with at least 79 people wounded, as well as videos circulating of extremist ultra-nationalist Israelis spitting on and graffitiing Palestinian businesses and homes. There were also slogans and chants of “death to Arabs”, “the second Nakba is coming”, and “Muhammed is dead”, referring to the Prophet of Islam.
Backed by well-armed Israeli occupation forces, colonial settlers provoke Palestinians in the Old City of occupied Jerusalem ahead of far-right Israeli “Flag March”.
— AlQastal News (@QastalNewsEn) May 18, 2023
This year is already seeing heavy violence (as of Thursday the 18th), with Israeli extremists beating and attacking Palestinian residents in the Old City and Muslim quarter of Jerusalem. Many videos circulating online show Palestinian residents being beaten indiscriminately, while Israeli soldiers and police look on and participate in the violence.
Today in Jerusalem's Old City, illegal Jewish colonizers celebrating Israel's extreme-right provocative 'Flag March' brutally assault Palestinians with the support of Israeli occupation forces. pic.twitter.com/spJQGkb4qR
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 18, 2023
Reports are also showing Israeli extremists breaking into Al-Aqsa Mosque, shouting insults towards the Prophet Muhammed. More worrying still, several Israeli politicians were seen getting involved in the violence of “Flag Day”, including three MPs in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s party: Dan Illouz, Amit Halevi, and Ariel Kallner.
The scene right now: marching settlers spit at Palestinians. Soldiers intervene and then beat up Palestinians. Then settlers ask soldiers to beat the Palestinians who hadn't got beaten, then soldiers follow the orders of the settlers, and beat those who got pointed at . pic.twitter.com/uaVjB6GTCp
— Jalal (@JalalAK_jojo) May 18, 2023
Thousands more Israelis are expected the join the march, with Israeli police deployed around Jerusalem to protect those in the march and rally. Many Israelis have also gathered at Damascus Gate, chanting racist slogans and waving the Israeli flag according to reporters on the ground.
According to Israeli NGO Ir Amin, this annual rally is purely for a “display of incitement, Jewish dominance, and racism”.
