Thousands of Israelis Nationalists march through Jerusalem's Old City, tensions rise

Tens of thousands of Israelis participated in the annual Jerusalem Day flag march, waving Israeli flags and chanting anti-Arab slogans. The procession took place outside Old City's Damascus Gate and marched through the Muslim Quarter, prompting Palestinian shop owners along the route to close their businesses due to a heavy Israeli police presence. The event has been criticized by Palestinians as provocative, with some viewing it as an attempt to assert dominance over East Jerusalem. The march commemorates Israel's capture of the city's eastern sector in 1967, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque compound. It has long been a flashpoint for tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, with previous marches contributing to outbreaks of violence. This year's event was particularly contentious, coming amid an ongoing war in Gaza and heightened tensions in the region.