By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Clashes broke out late Thursday in Jerusalem, where Israeli police rushed to stop a march demanding Jewish control over the entire ancient city.
Violence erupted between security forces and rightwing Jewish nationalists as they attempted to march through Jerusalem’s Old City, calling to “restore full Jewish control over the Temple Mount and Jerusalem.”
Authorities approved the controversial march late Wednesday despite critics warning it could strain security forces as the nation already faces a war against Hamas in Gaza.
Yet, at the last moment, police blocked the procession as soon as it set out from Tsahal (Israel Defense Forces) Square (formerly Allenby Square), seen as one of the most historically sensitive and prominent intersections in Jerusalem.
From the square, protesters planned to march into East Jerusalem via the historic Damascus Gate and proceed to the Western Wall in the Temple Mount/Al-Aqsa complex, several sources confirmed.
Ahead of the event, right-wing activist Baruch Marzel argued that “Gaza is a result, the main incitement takes place at the Temple Mount, the most sacred place for Jews which is not sacred at all for Muslims.”
He added, “The march is meant to point to the root of the problem, which is that in the heart of the capital of Israel, they are telling Arabs to continue to support Hamas, to praise [AI-Qassam commander Mohammed] Deif and [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar. We want that Jewish sovereignty there to be much stronger.”
ONE DETENTION
However, security forces prevented the march, with witnesses saying police confiscated perceived inflammatory posters and that at least one demonstrator was detained so far.
Marchers had brought signs, including one calling for a bulldozer to be brought to the Temple Mount, alluding to the protest’s declared goals of “destroying the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock shrine” at the site.
Dubbed the “March of the Maccabees,” they also wanted to memorialize Israeli victims of the Israel-Hamas war.
It wasn’t immediately clear what prompted police to stop the protest, but Hamas had threatened to interrupt the rally.
In published remarks, the group called it a “dangerous attempt to impose Zionist control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque” and said “Our people will not allow it, no matter the cost.”
Hamas added that it would call “on the Arab and Islamic nations, and the brothers in the Kingdom of Jordan, and based on the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem, to take immediate and urgent action. And to assume their historical responsibilities towards what is happening in the blessed Al-Agsa.”
Marzel rejected claims that the march could have sparked inter-communal violence and unrest. He said the Hamas October 7 atrocities “took place during the quietest period in Israel” regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in many years.
Marzel condemned police for stopping the march, saying, “There’s democracy in Israel for the left, not the right.” There were no immediate reports of severe injuries despite the confrontation.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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