MARCHES: Jewish right-wing nationalists have been given permission by the Israeli government and police to carry out a controversial march to celebrate the occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. Photo: AP / NTB
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Right-wing nationalist Jews have been given permission by the police to hold a controversial march that will also pass through the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Israel’s outgoing government gave the green light for the march, which takes place on Tuesday, two days after the Knesset National Assembly is expected to approve a new government and Benjamin Netanyahu’s term as prime minister is over.
The right-wing nationalists will first march down the main street in occupied East Jerusalem, to the Damascus Gate that leads into the Old City. They are not allowed to use the gate, but will keep a so-called flag dance outside.
The marchers will then enter the old town via the Jaffa Gate and visit the Muslim Quarter, before gathering at the Western Wall, also known as the Wailing Wall.
The march is usually held on May 10 each year to celebrate Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. This year ended in violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters, and an eleven-day war between Israel and Hamas that killed 260 Palestinians and 13 lives on the Israeli side.
The United States fears that next week’s march will cause the conflict to flare up again.
– In our opinion, it is absolutely crucial that you do not take steps that aggravate the tension. We all saw what triggered the latest flare-up of violence, and we all know how delicate the situation is, a spokesman for the US State Department said on Wednesday.
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