Israeli far-right march through Jerusalem's Old City draws clashes

Israeli far-right activists marched through Jerusalem's Old City on Thursday during the controversial "Jerusalem Day" event, with clashes breaking out between marchers, police, local residents, Israeli peace activists, and journalists, reported Xinhua.

The so-called "Jerusalem Day" commemorates Israel's capture of East Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East War. Israeli police spokesperson Dean Elsdunne told Xinhua that about 3,000 officers had been deployed across Jerusalem to maintain security.

Xinhua reporters saw that nearly all shops in the Old City's Arab neighborhoods were closed, while armed Israeli police stood at major intersections. Far-right marchers entered the Old City from the morning, waving Israeli flags and chanting slogans. Israeli media footage showed some marchers involved in physical confrontations with other residents.

Xinhua reporters also saw far-right activists shouting at Israeli peace activists and journalists, with some incidents involving pushing and shoving. Police later escorted several activists and reporters from the area. Israeli police said 13 people were arrested in connection with "isolated" violent incidents.

Videos circulating on social media on Thursday showed Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power party, entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under police escort while holding an Israeli flag.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located in Jerusalem's Old City, has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The status of Jerusalem remains one of the core issues in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israel captured East Jerusalem in 1967 and later declared the entire city its "eternal and indivisible capital," a move not recognized by much of the international community. Palestinians seek an independent state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.