May 14, 2026, 6:59 p.mMay 14, 2026, 6:59 p.m
Tens of thousands of nationalist Israelis marched through the Old City of Jerusalem with Israeli flags under heavy police protection. Israeli police said they had arrested several participants in the controversial flag march because of “isolated arguments and acts of violence.”
Tens of thousands were on the streets.Image: keystone
Every year the march also passes through Muslim neighborhoods, which Palestinians see as an extreme provocation. They are calling for the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem to become the future capital of their own state. The march takes place annually on Jerusalem Day. It celebrates the Israeli conquest of East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967.
Conflicts and attacks
Local media reported that participants shouted, among other things, “Death to the Arabs.” The left-liberal newspaper Haaretz reported that nationalist Israelis beat Palestinian residents and damaged shop windows before the march officially began. According to media, there were clashes between nationalist Israelis and local residents as well as activists supporting Palestinian residents. Chairs also flew, as footage distributed by the media shows.
Israeli journalists on site also reported that they were attacked by the participants. Most shopkeepers have reportedly closed their shops. Many right-wing young people are taking part in the flag march. There have been frequent riots during the march in the past. According to Israeli media, thousands of security forces are deployed.
With Israel flag – Ben-Gvir provokes on the Temple Mount
Meanwhile, Israel’s right-wing extremist Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir waved an Israeli flag on the Temple Mount. “The Temple Mount is in our hands,” he wrote on Platform According to an agreement with the Muslim authorities, Jews are allowed to visit the facility but are not allowed to pray there.
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. For Jews, the Temple Mount with the Wailing Wall is the holiest site because two Jewish temples used to stand there. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City is under Muslim administration, while Israel is responsible for security. (hkl/sda/dpa)