Israeli ultranationalists chant racist slogans during Jerusalem Day march | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Published May 14, 2026
Jerusalem — During the annual Jerusalem Day parade, Israeli ultranationalists marched through the Old City, chanting slogans such as “Death to Arabs” and “May your villages burn,” while many Palestinian residents remained indoors and closed their shops.
This event, which draws tens of thousands of participants—predominantly teenagers and young adults—commemorates what Israeli authorities refer to as the “reunification” of Jerusalem following the 1967 war, during which Israel captured East Jerusalem. The annexation of this predominantly Palestinian area is deemed illegal under international law, according to the United Nations.
Historically, the march has often led to violence, with ultranationalist groups targeting Palestinians through racist chants, intimidation, and physical assaults. This year’s event occurred amid tensions related to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Iran and persistent violations of a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
As the afternoon progressed, most Palestinian shopkeepers in the Old City pulled down their metal shutters, abandoning the narrow stone alleys. Some Israeli marchers banged on the closed shutters while others engaged in synchronized clapping and chanting as they passed by. Authorities frequently order Palestinian businesses to close during the march, which concludes at the Western Wall, a significant Jewish holy site.
A limited number of Palestinian-owned shops remained open, receiving protection from volunteers with Standing Together, an Israeli-Palestinian grassroots organization. The group aims to shield residents and businesses from potential harassment.
“Our presence is to protect people from being attacked and places from being vandalized. We strive to de-escalate this day,” said Rula Daoud, co-director of Standing Together. She noted an increase in violence associated with the march over the years and criticized Israeli police for their lack of intervention.
“This day, thousands of settlers and right-wing individuals—young and old—will roam the streets chanting racist slogans, trying to vandalize Palestinian property and instilling fear throughout the area,” she added.
Journalists covering the march also encountered hostility, with reports of some being obstructed or physically confronted by participants, according to local media sources.
