Israeli Settlers Commence Provocative Flag March in East Jerusalem

Radical right-wing Israeli settlers are organizing a provocative 'flag march' to celebrate Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967. The extremist settlers, carrying Israeli flags and provocative banners, gathered in the symbolic Damascus Gate area of the Old City. Israeli police set up numerous barricades in the area and blocked Palestinians from entering. Likud Party's Transportation Minister Miri Regev also participated in the flag march in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem. Tensions rose as clashes occurred between the settler Jews and local Palestinians, with the police intervening. The Israeli police evacuated the Damascus Gate area for the march, while the settler demonstrators insulted journalists present at the scene. Two journalists were lightly injured during the confrontations. The settlers, under Israeli police protection, also staged a raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This year, Israel deployed over 3,000 personnel for the march. The Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem after the 1967 Six-Day War is considered illegal under international law, with Israel's demographic policies and settlements in the area deemed unlawful. The march continues to be a source of tension between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the region.