**The annual event commemorating the capture of East Jerusalem sees increasing hostility and violence, sparking widespread condemnation.**
### Jerusalem Day March Draws Violence and Tensions Amid Conflict
### Jerusalem Day March Draws Violence and Tensions Amid Conflict
**Far-right Israeli marchers escalate tensions during Jerusalem Day, clashing with Palestinian communities.**
Far-right Israeli marchers clashed violently with Palestinians in the Old City of Jerusalem on Jerusalem Day, an annual event marking the capture of East Jerusalem during the 1967 war. The march, attended by thousands of nationalist Israelis, was marred by hate-filled chants and attacks on local Arab residents, igniting protests and outrage.
During the march, which took place near the Damascus Gate, activists shouted slogans such as "death to Arabs" and displayed banners proclaiming "67 - Jerusalem in our hands; 2025 - Gaza in our hands". Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the parade as a manifestation of "hatred and racism," branding it a disgrace to Judaism. As tensions escalated, Israeli police intervened, arresting several aggressive participants.
Witnesses reported that Arab vendors in the Muslim Quarter faced harassment, with marchers chanting threats against Palestinian homes and villages. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, addressing the crowds, advocated for the death penalty for "terrorists," further inflaming the situation. His visit to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a site of religious significance, drew sharp criticism from Palestinian officials, who warned that such provocations could destabilize the region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced the government's position, asserting, "Jerusalem will remain united and under Israeli sovereignty." The march coincided with ongoing military actions in Gaza, where violence has surged following a significant Hamas attack, leading to thousands of casualties on both sides. The complex and ongoing conflict continues to draw global attention as both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital.
Opposition leaders decried the violence, with Yair Golan stating, "This is hatred, racism, and bullying." As historical and cultural tensions simmer, Jerusalem remains a focal point in the struggle for peace, with voices on all sides calling for dialogue and coexistence.
