Israeli Ultranationalists Chant Racist Slogans at Jerusalem Day March

Jerusalem Day commemorates the 1967 capture of East Jerusalem, which Israel calls the reunification of the city. Each year tens of thousands of Israelis, many of them teenagers and young adults, join the parade that ends at the Western Wall. The annexation of East Jerusalem is deemed illegal under international law by the United Nations, and the event has repeatedly heightened tensions with the city’s Palestinian population. Past marches have often descended into violence, with young ultranationalists targeting Palestinians through chants, intimidation and physical assaults. The parade traditionally winds through the Muslim and Christian quarters before reaching the Jewish holy site. This year’s march took place amid Israel’s ongoing war with Iran and a fragile ceasefire in Gaza that has been marked by near‑daily violations reported by both sides.

During this year’s march, ultranationalist participants chanted “Death to Arabs” and “May your villages burn” as they moved through the narrow alleys of the Old City. Palestinian shopkeepers pulled down their metal shutters and deserted the streets, while some marchers banged on the closed shutters and clapped rhythmically. A small number of Palestinian‑owned businesses remained open under the watch of volunteers from Standing Together, an Israeli‑Palestinian grassroots group. Rula Daoud, the group’s co‑director, said their presence aims to shield people from attacks and vandalism and to de‑escalate the day, and she accused Israeli police of failing to stop the abuses. Journalists covering the event also reported being shoved and blocked from filming by marchers. Police officials said they were monitoring the parade and had deployed additional units to the Old City, though critics argued the presence did not prevent the harassment.

The recurrence of racist chants and the reported lack of effective police intervention raise concerns about the safety of Palestinian residents and the potential for the march to provoke further violence. Activist efforts to protect businesses and individuals highlight a growing civil‑society response to the tensions, with groups like Standing Together coordinating volunteers each year. Observers will watch whether authorities increase police presence, adjust rules on business closures, or if activist groups expand their patrols in future marches. Human rights organizations have previously filed complaints with Israeli authorities over similar incidents. International bodies may also scrutinize the event for compliance with obligations to protect minority populations under human rights law.