At least 17 Palestinians have been arrested. According to the Palestinian aid organization Red Crescent, 33 Palestinians were injured in the clashes.
eviction
The march was originally scheduled for May 10, marking Israel’s 1967 capture of East Jerusalem. Due to tensions, the march was then prematurely interrupted. Hamas nevertheless fired rockets into Jerusalem that day, followed by 11 days of Israeli military bombing of Gaza and further rocket fire by Hamas.
One of the reasons for the tensions is the intended eviction of four Palestinian families in an Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem. Israel’s Supreme Court will soon consider whether Palestinian families can appeal the deportation.
Test new government
The march poses a challenge to the new Israeli prime minister, right-wing nationalist Naftali Bennett. Despite concerns that the march could spark new unrest, banning was not an option for the new government. That would be seen in right-wing nationalist circles as a bow to Hamas.
Israel’s parliament voted in favor last Sunday the new government coalition, one without ex-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. The coalition consists of parties that cover much of the political spectrum, including a small Arab party.
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