Ultranationalist Jews Chant 'Death to Arabs' at Jerusalem Day March as Ben-Gvir Visits Al-Aqsa
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · May 14
Ultranationalist Jews Chant 'Death to Arabs' at Jerusalem Day March as Ben-Gvir Visits Al-Aqsa
9 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · May 14
Large crowds of mostly young ultranationalist Jews gathered at Damascus Gate and marched through the Old City's Palestinian areas, chanting "Death to Arabs," "May your villages burn" and "Muhammad is dead."
Israeli police cordoned off parts of the area for journalists, while Palestinian residents shut shops and stayed home ahead of a procession that often sparks violence.
Scuffles broke out in the Christian quarter before the march began, with young marchers and Palestinians throwing chairs until activists from the coexistence group Standing Together intervened.
Earlier Thursday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa compound, raised an Israeli flag and declared "the Temple Mount is in our hands," risking further unrest at a site that helped trigger an 11-day war in 2021.
The annual march marks Israel's 1967 capture of east Jerusalem, whose annexation is not internationally recognized, and unfolded as Israel's hard-line government heads toward new elections.
With government ministers leading extremist marches, is ultranationalism now official Israeli state policy rather than a fringe movement?
As 'America First' sentiment grows, is the powerful Christian Zionist alliance that has long bolstered US support for Israel beginning to crumble?
The 2026 Jerusalem Day Flag March: Rising Far-Right Violence, Regional Tensions, and the Future of East Jerusalem
Overview
On May 14, 2026, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem's Old City for the annual Jerusalem Day march, creating an atmosphere of tension and unrest. Anticipating trouble, Palestinian shopkeepers closed their businesses early. Even before the main parade began, young Israelis were seen beating Palestinian residents, damaging storefronts, and shouting racist slogans like 'death to Arabs' and 'May your village burn.' These violent and provocative acts highlighted the deep divisions and ongoing conflict in the city, turning what was meant to be a national celebration into a day marked by fear and hostility for many Palestinians.