Israelis wave national flags during a Jerusalem Day march, in Jerusalem, May 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Saturday said he will demand a right-wing nationalist parade through Jerusalem’s Old City be called off if it “requires extraordinary security measures and endangers public order and diplomatic processes.”
The controversial march is set to take place in Jerusalem’s Old City on June 10, after police canceled the annual Jerusalem Day march mid-event May 10 when Hamas fired a barrage of rockets toward the city.
Gantz released the statement following a meeting with the military and police chiefs, the attorney general, and other top security officials. The defense minister said he stressed to all officials present the need for responsible, sensitive behavior. Notably absent from the meeting was Public Security Minister Amir Ohana of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, whose office oversees police.
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Jun. 6, 2021 6:08 AM
It’s obviously only a coincidence, but somehow the leaders of the Religious Zionism party decided this year, of all years, that it was insufficient to mark the end of the Six-Day War according to its Jewish calendar date, which fell on May 10 this year. On Friday, posters appeared announcing people to celebrate the reunification of Jerusalem 54 years ago on its anniversary in the Gregorian calendar. A second Flag March is planned for Thursday.
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Security officials warn nationalist march could reignite fighting with Palestinian terror groups; far-right MKs slam defense minister for 'cowardice' against Hamas; U.S. urges to refrain from any events that could jeopardize mediation efforts following latest Gaza conflict