Israeli extremist assaults an elderly Palestinian woman in occupied Jerusalem, Palestine on 29 May 2022. (Photo credit: Twitter)
The controversial Israeli Flag March kicked off in the afternoon of 29 May across two routes, one of which crossed through Jerusalem’s Muslim quarter.
Violence against Palestinians, racist chants against Arabs, insults against the Prophet Muhammad, and other provocative actions occurred during the march.
The Israeli establishment, meanwhile, is on high alert after resistance movement Hamas warned that “all scenarios” are on the table.
Thousands of Israeli settlers joined the procession after having stormed the compound of Al-Aqsa Mosque hours prior.
Al Mayadeen stated that a record 1,678 Israeli settlers stormed the Islamic holy site, according to Sheikh Omar al-Kiswani, who added such a number has not been seen since 1967.
Thousands of Israeli settlers have started the Flag March in occupied Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/vJYDghTny3
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 29, 2022
Violent assaults against Palestinians took place both before and after the march as Israeli settlers took to the streets of the Old City of Jerusalem. Many videos surfaced on social media showing violent assaults against Palestinian civilians and shopkeepers, including elderly bystanders.
#Israeli settlers flood into Arab areas, pepper spray elderly #Palestinian woman in Jerusalem’s Old City pic.twitter.com/HppxIBiZtG
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 29, 2022
An Israeli settler spits at an old Palestinian woman during a provocative march in Jerusalem today. pic.twitter.com/A43whGH37X
— TIMES OF GAZA (@Timesofgaza) May 28, 2022
Crowds chanted insults, including racist ones that called for a genocide of Arabs.
One Israeli settler was recorded on video taunting journalists over the murder of Shireen Abu Aqla, the Palestinian-American journalist who was murdered by Israeli occupation forces on 11 May.
Israeli settler taunts journalists by recalling the murder of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Aqla. pic.twitter.com/UaFtR95fE5
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 29, 2022
Today in Israel, the jewel of the western world:
– “Shuafat is on fire” (reference to the burning of the Palestinian child Abu Khdeir)
– “A Jew is a soul, an Arab is a son of a whore”
– “Muhammad is dead”
– “May your village burn down”
– “Death to Arabs”
– “Shereen is dead” pic.twitter.com/UtRDIJd4CF
— Lebanese News and Updates (@LebUpdate) May 29, 2022
After having joined in the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque, extremist Member of Knesset (MK) Itamar Ben Gvir joined in the Flag March.
Israeli Occupation Knesset Member Itamar Ben Gvir storms Bab Al-Amud in Jerusalem now. pic.twitter.com/Xps8CBHGRd
— AlQastal News (@QastalNewsEn) May 29, 2022
In response, the Palestinian inhabitants of occupied Jerusalem fought back against attacks by Israeli settlers, as well as flying the Palestinian flag and chanting slogans against the Israeli occupation and Palestinian Authority.
Media coverage: “A young Palestinian man thwarts colonial Israeli settlers after they stormed the Old City of occupied Jerusalem.”#BravePalestine#AlAqsaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/kTXj4SHqzq
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 29, 2022
Palestinian flag hovering above the ‘Western Wall’ in Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/WOY6RPW1yi
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) May 29, 2022
This brave old man has wrapped it up: Damn you [Zionist Settlers], Bennett, and Mahmoud Abbas!
👏 #VideoOfTheDay #FreePalestine#Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/lLGgBf5SuL— سُنْدُس اَلْأَسعَد (@sondossalasaad) May 29, 2022
Earlier, during the assault of Al-Aqsa Mosque, and for the first time in history, Israeli settlers performed provocative Talmudic rituals inside the courtyard.
Israeli settlers hold a prostration ritual during the ongoing provocative tour into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/JnWKtAyroy
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) May 29, 2022
Jewish worship is not permitted in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound according to Israeli law, and it is also forbidden by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.
The last time the Flag March took place, in May 2021, an 11-day war broke out between Palestinian resistance groups in the Gaza Strip and occupation forces. The violence resulted in the deaths of over 260 Palestinians and the destruction of large sections of the besieged strip.
Earlier this week, Palestinian resistance movement Hamas warned Israel against instigating another war by allowing these provocative actions in occupied East Jerusalem.
Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah also warned Israel of “dire consequences” should a dangerous escalation take place on the holy Islamic and Christian sanctuaries in occupied East Jerusalem.