Organizers cancel Israeli ‘flag march’ in Jerusalem

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – A planned Israeli “flag march” through the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City has been canceled, Israeli media reported on Monday.

According to the Yediot Ahronoth daily, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved recommendations from officials of Israeli security agency Shin Bet to redirect the march from the Damascus Gate.

Subsequently, the march organizers called off the march, saying the marchers will now be gathering at the Western Wall, known by Muslims as al-Buraq Wall.

At least 305 people were injured as Israeli police on Monday stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and attacked Palestinians who were on guard to prevent possible raids by extremist Jews, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Tensions have run high in the Sheikh Jarrah area since last week as Israeli settlers swarmed in after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families.

Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the residents of Sheikh Jarrah have been targeted by Israeli forces.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 – a move that has never been recognized by the international community.

* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara​​​​​​​