The Story of the Annual Flag March in Israel

The story of the Flag March dates back to the first anniversary of the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem in 1967 when some far-right individuals initiated a march in East Jerusalem while carrying Israeli flags. May 18 was established as a national holiday. Over the years, the march has sparked conflicts, with cases of clashes, fires, and casualties. Today, Jerusalem is in a state of heightened tension, anticipating the upcoming "Flag March" scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, which will start from the western part of the city, passing through the gates of the Old City and reaching the Western Wall. There are Israeli concerns about possible escalation in the city. Hamas political bureau member Salah Bardawil stated, "The march will not pass, and a response is coming," while Yedioth Ahronoth warned, "There is no doubt that some will try to disrupt the festive atmosphere." The Israeli army radio commented, "We are preparing for a scenario to evacuate as many people as possible to shelters during the Flag March." Amid these fears, the Israeli police announced the deployment of more than 3,200 officers for what they refer to as "the 56th anniversary of the unification of the city."