Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem today for the “March of Flags,” a march that has turned into a show of force by Jewish nationalists in recent years as it commemorates the anniversary of Israel’s occupation of the city in the 1967 war. .

The “March of Flags” is a demonstration organized by Israel on the occasion of “Jerusalem Day” to celebrate the city’s “reunification” after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. The UN does not recognize Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem as it considers it “illegal” under international law.

The march traditionally passes through the Old City, to East Jerusalem, and ends at the Wailing Wall, the Jewish holy place of prayer.

This year’s march took place in a tense atmosphere. Since the beginning of the year, about 200 people have died in Israel and the Palestinian territories, 35 of them during the “five-day war” (May 9-13) between the Israeli army and Palestinian armed groups in the Gaza Strip. .

The incident took place at the Damascus Gate in the Old City, when marchers threw stones and bottles at journalists, AFP correspondents report. Some protesters chanted “Death to the Arabs”.

In Gaza, thousands of people with Palestinian flags gathered on the border with Israel. The Israeli army fired tear gas at those approaching the security fence.

A source close to the Palestinian security services in Gaza said members of the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the enclave, fired a “warning” rocket towards the Mediterranean Sea.

Source: APE-MPE, AFP.