Racial slogans could be heard as people gathered around the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. Jews chanted racial slogans as they gathered and marched to mark Jerusalem Day.
Their anti-Arab slogans, such as “Death to Arabs,” showed they belonged to the ultranationalist Jews faction. Not only do they celebrate the achievements of Jews, but they also proceed to disparage the Arabs.
Jerusalem Day, which is marked on the 14th – 15th May, commemorates Israel’s recapture of Jerusalem. Israel managed to regain control of Jerusalem in 1967.
The Jerusalem Day celebrations normally take place in different parts of Jerusalem.
Owing to the anti-racial sentiments, many Palestinians closed their businesses. Still, some protestors banged on their windows as they passed and chanted. Others merely clapped as they chanted.
Protection Provided
The few shop owners who remained open were guarded by members of Standing Together, a joint Israeli-Palestinian activist group. Many people have come to anticipate antiracial chaos on this day, and often prepare for eventualities.
Yesterday, as the ultranationalist Jews passed through what is referred to as Old City, they could be heard chanting “Muhammad is dead”. These are anti-religious sentiments like the ones against Christians noted during Easter.
However, some Jews dismissed the racist chants as the sentiments of a small minority. They noted that the city was important to all the communities. For example, as Jews revere the hilltop as Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site, the Arabs have the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s 3rd holiest site.
This year’s celebrations come at a more sensitive time, considering the Gaza killings are still alive in people’s minds. Moreover, Israel is still fighting a war that has left many Israelis frustrated and mentally exhausted.