Amman, May 14 (Petra)-- Thousands of Israeli settlers took part Thursday evening in the controversial and provocative "Flag March" through the Damascus Gate area, one of the main entrances to Jerusalem’s Old City, under heavy protection from Israeli occupation police forces.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the march was attended by several ministers and members of the Israeli governing coalition, including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as senior police and military officials and other extremist Knesset members.
Participants waved Israeli flags and carried banners bearing racist slogans calling for the death of Arabs and threatening to establish the so-called "Temple" in place of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Settlers also reportedly assaulted Palestinian residents and journalists present in the area by spitting at them, shouting insults, and performing flag dances.
Israeli forces deployed snipers along the walls near Damascus Gate and maintained a heavy security presence throughout Jerusalem, including the streets and alleyways of the Old City, effectively turning the area into what witnesses described as a military zone under the pretext of securing the march.
Israeli police also restricted the movement of Palestinians inside the Old City and forced shop owners to close their businesses, while providing protection for the settlers participating in the march.
//Petra// MF
