The march was initially approved despite concerns about potential violence during the war on Gaza.
Jerusalem — Around 200 Israeli settlers gathered in central West Jerusalem on Thursday evening, giving provocative speeches in a march before Israeli police forcibly dispersed them.
The march was to head toward the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and enter through the Damascus Gate. But police said the protesters had violated conditions set for them by authorities, forcing them to crack down and revoke the permission they had been given for the march.
Similar marches by far-right groups in Jerusalem’s Old City have often led to violence against Palestinians and heightened tensions in the past. The Old City is part of East Jerusalem, under illegal Israeli occupation since 1967.
Thursday’s march sparked even greater concerns than usual about potential violence because it was planned during Israel’s war on Gaza. Israeli shelling and artillery have killed more than 17,000 people in Gaza since October 7, when Hamas fighters attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing 240 others.
“At first, racist chants were heard on site by some participants, and at one point, dozens of demonstrators disobeyed the instructions of the police officers on site and advanced without police authorization in a mad dash for a short period. distance,” said an Israeli police spokesperson. “The police stopped them after a few dozen meters and an illegal assembly was therefore declared by a police officer.”
“The Israeli police will continue to allow freedom of expression and protest within the limits of the law, but will not authorize the violation of public order contrary to the law. »
Speaking to Tel Aviv Tribune, one of the settlers participating in the march described the group’s intention as “getting rid of the Muslim Waqf of the Temple Mount because the Temple Mount only belongs to the Jewish people.” , referring to the Jordanian-designated organization that operates Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Al-Aqsa, one of the holiest sites in Islam, is also known as the Temple Mount and is a holy place for Jews. The site has been at the heart of tensions in Jerusalem for decades.
In recent years, settler attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque have become more frequent, often supported by influential politicians such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
After Thursday’s march was canceled, the Old City remained closed for fear that settlers would enter and carry out attacks on residents.
Israel faces growing criticism from its allies – particularly the United States – over settler violence and provocations in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.