17 Palestinians arrested in clashes amid Jerusalem flag march

• Date: 15 June 2021
• Published date: 15 June 2021
• Author: JEREMY SHARON
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

About 33 Palestinians were injured in the disturbances, Palestinian media reported.

Dozens of Palestinians rioted in streets close to the march's route and threw stones at police officers, injuring two, the police said.

Police dispersed Palestinians in and around the Old City ahead of the march.

The flag march was supposed to take place on Jerusalem Day in May but was postponed due to Operation Guardian of the Walls.

Palestinians clashed with security forces in the area in front of Damascus Gate about two hours before the marchers arrived, videos from the scene that circulated on social media showed.

Some 2,000 police officers and Border Police officers were deployed throughout the Old City on Tuesday, and metal barriers were erected to prevent Palestinians from reaching the Damascus Gate area.

Israeli security forces were deployed on the Temple Mount. At least two Palestinians were arrested, and four others were removed from the Temple Mount, Palestinian media reported.

Thousands of right-wing marchers participated in the Jerusalem flag march in high spirits but under heavy police protection Tuesday evening. The event had raised concerns of renewed violence with Hamas and tensions with Arab-Israelis.

Buses brought marchers from at least 29 locations, including settlements in Judea and Samaria, Beersheba, Beit She'an, Petah Tikva, Bat Yam and elsewhere.

The number of participants was far smaller than in previous years, and the march was relatively peaceful. The marchers chanted songs such as "Am Yisrael Chai," "The nation of Israel is not afraid" and similar refrains.

However, racist chants of "Death to Arabs" and nationalistic chants were shouted by some of the marchers. In one incident outside Damascus Gate, a marcher and an east Jerusalem Arab resident became embroiled in a brief spat.

On the way down from the city center to Damascus Gate, at least two small groups of marchers shouted various nationalistic slogans and songs at Palestinian east Jerusalem residents on the other side of police barriers.

Some marchers held posters featuring Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and called him "a liar," while others chanted, "Bennett is a traitor."

The march gathered on Hanevi'im Street, where a band played Jewish music and the attendees danced.

The march then set off down Sultan Suleiman Street on its way to Damascus Gate, where participants staged the traditional flag dances outside the landmark, before continuing outside the walls of the Old City to Jaffa Gate.

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