Israel okays extremists' flag march at Jerusalem's Damascus Gate

By Zain Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli authorities on Wednesday greenlighted a march of Israeli flags organized by Israeli extremists going through the Damascus Gate in occupied East Jerusalem.

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) said the flag march was okayed following a security assessment by Israeli Public Security Minister Omer Barlev and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai.

Commenting on the decision, Israeli Minister for Regional Cooperation Esawi Frej, the only Arab minister in the Israeli government, said allowing the provocative march is a mistake and worrisome, according to KAN.

Last year, the march also passed by the Damascus Gate – one of Jerusalem's Old City gates, also known as the Bab al-Amud area – a march during which Israelis chanted anti-Arab slogans.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry slammed the new Israeli decision, calling it a provocation to the Palestinian people.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar