Israeli nationalists chant ‘death to Arabs’ in march through Jerusalem
There were scuffles and insults as Israelis celebrated Jerusalem Day under the shadow of the war in Gaza
Chanting “Death to Arabs” and singing “May your village burn”, groups of young Israeli Jews made their way through Muslim neighbourhoods of Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday during an annual march marking Israel’s conquest of the eastern part of the city.
Palestinian shopkeepers had closed up early and police lined the narrow alleys before the march that often becomes a rowdy and sometimes violent procession of ultranationalist Jews.
A policeman raised his arms in celebration at one point, recognising a marcher and going in for a hug. It was blazing hot, with temperatures hitting 37 degrees Celsius (98 Fahrenheit) in late afternoon.
Jerusalem lies at the heart of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, who each see the city as a key part of their national and religious identity. It is one of the most intractable issues of the conflict and often emerges as a flashpoint.