Tensions high in Jerusalem ahead of hardline Israeli march

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Tensions were high in the occupied Palestinian territories on Tuesday as Israeli nationalists gathered for a controversial march through East Jerusalem.

The so-called March of the Flags celebrates the anniversary of Israel’s 1967 occupation of the city’s eastern sector.

“The right to demonstrate is a right in all democracies,” said Israel’s Internal Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev. “The police is ready and we will do everything in our power to preserve the delicate thread of coexistence.”

Israel’s annexation of East Jerusalem since the Six-Day War of 1967 is not recognised by most of the international community, which says the city’s final status should be a matter of negotiation between the two sides.

The Palestinians claim the city’s eastern sector as the capital of their future state.

Here are the latest updates:

3 mins ago (12:15 GMT)

Iron Dome defence system readied in Israel’s south

Iron Dome missile defense system batteries could be seen in Israel’s south, as the army deployed them amid heightened tensions with Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

The decision by Israel’s new government to grant approval for the contentious parade by Israeli nationalists through Palestinian areas around Jerusalem’s Old City raises the possibility of renewed confrontations just weeks after an 11-day war with Hamas.

21 mins ago (11:57 GMT)

‘Palestinians are very angry’

Hussein Nasser Ed Din, 35, from Shuafat in occupied East Jerusalem said there could be major problems if more people congregate at Damascus Gate to confront the Israel marchers.

But he said lots of police are present so they will prevent people from arriving. Most of the problems will be in the Old City, the logistics officer with local media suggested.

“Palestinians are very angry. People are terrified of losing their homes with the forced expulsions and demolitions,” Eddin told Al Jazeera.

Khalid Alian, 26, from Jabal al-Mukaber also denounced Israeli settlers for forcing Palestinians out of their homes.

“This is our land and the settlers are taking our land and taking our future and dreams away. Eight of my friends were killed by Israeli soldiers. If you had documents proving ownership of your land, how would you feel if you were thrown out to make way for settlers?” he asked.

36 mins ago (11:42 GMT)

Israel deploys thousands of extra police ahead of march

Israeli police said it will deploy 2,000 forces to provide protection for participants in the planned “flag march” across occupied East Jerusalem.

According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, the police forces will be deployed in the vicinity of the routes that the participants will take during the march.

The broadcaster said Israeli police also decided to reinforce their presence in the mixed cities inside Israel in anticipation of violence.

43 mins ago (11:36 GMT)

‘All options on the table,’ warns Hamas

When the march was originally announced for last week, senior Hamas official Khalil Hayya warned it could spark a return to violence that killed more than 256 people in Gaza and 11 in Israel last month.

Hamas spokesman Mohammed Hamadeh said mediators had been in contact with Palestinian armed groups in recent days to appeal to them “not to engage in a military escalation on the basis of the march”.

“All options remain on the table, however,” said Hamadeh.

Last month’s conflict started after Hamas issued a deadline for Israel to remove its forces from flashpoint areas of East Jerusalem, and then fired a salvo of rockets at Israel when the ultimatum went unheeded.

48 mins ago (11:30 GMT)

Israeli settlers begin to gather for nationalist march

Israeli settlers began arriving midday while being escorted by plainclothes police.

Heavily armed paramilitary border police and other forces patrolled the streets of the city, set up checkpoints, and blocked off roads throughout East Jerusalem.

Iron barriers were placed outside the entrance to Damascus Gate, where Palestinians said they would gather to confront the Israelis.

Young Palestinian men stood on street corners watching, and Palestinian shop owners started to close their businesses. Anti-march protests were expected against the march after midday prayers.

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered inside Al-Aqsa Mosque compound since the morning to prevent settlers from trying to enter. Bus loads came from inside Israel.

Activists say if the Israeli settlers stay away from the compound the clashes will be less intense. Groups of young boys chanted slogans and refused to move away as police stood nearby.