Israel to allow right-wing flag march to pass through Muslim Quarter on Jerusalem Day

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Israel’s flag march, scheduled to take place on Jerusalem Day on May 29th, will pass through Damascus Gate and into the Muslim Quarter, Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai decided on Tuesday.

Last year, following approval of the same route, a barrage of rockets were fired by Hamas at the city during the march prompting Israel’s Operation Guardian of the Walls in the Gaza Strip, which coincided with interethnic riots throughout Israel.

This year, the marchers are expected to reach the Damascus Gate plaza, which will be closed to Muslim traffic, where they will perform dances, and from there toward the Muslim Quarter through which they will arrive at the Western Wall, where the final event of the march will take place. Following approval, restrictions on Muslim residents in the Old City are expected.

An official statement from Bar-Lev stated that the minister accepted the police’s recommendation regarding the planned route as it “has been customary for most years in the past.”

Regional Cooperation Minister Esawi Freige called the decision to approve the march’s route through the Muslim Quarter and Damascus Gate “a dangerous and worrying mistake.”

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The purpose of the march in the heart of East Jerusalem is not for the good of Jerusalem, but instead comes from the desire to burn it,” he said, adding that he intends to work to change the decision, “to prevent its dangerous consequences.”

MK Gaby Lasky of Meretz said the decision was tantamount to “giving gasoline and fuel to a bunch of pyromaniacs.” According to her, this is a “defiant decision that ignores an entire population in East Jerusalem.”

The route of last year’s march was changed just before the march began to avoid passing through Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter, due to fears of an escalation in the security situation with Hamas.

Then Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the decision in accordance with the Shin Bet security service and security officials, and contrary to the position of the police.