‘Leave or we’ll kill you’: Settler’s warn Palestinians in Jerusalem’s Old City

Key Concepts

• Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim): An Israeli national holiday marking the 1967 capture of East Jerusalem and the Western Wall.
• The Settler Movement: An ultra-nationalist political and religious movement, now integrated into the Israeli government, advocating for Jewish control over the entirety of Jerusalem and the West Bank.
• Third Temple Movement: A radical group seeking to demolish the Al-Aqsa Mosque to rebuild a Jewish temple on the Temple Mount.
• Meir Kahane: A controversial, far-right American-Israeli rabbi whose ideology (Kahanism) advocates for the expulsion or subjugation of Palestinians.
• Standing Together: A grassroots movement of Jewish and Palestinian activists advocating for coexistence, equality, and an end to the occupation.

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1. The Political Climate of Jerusalem Day

The video documents the annual Jerusalem Day march, which has evolved from a celebration of the 1967 war victory into a display of ultra-nationalist fervor. While international law recognizes East Jerusalem as the potential capital of a Palestinian state, the marchers assert total Jewish ownership of the city. The report highlights a significant shift in Israeli politics: the settler movement, once considered a fringe element, has moved to the center of power, currently holding influential positions within the Netanyahu government.

2. Radicalization and Ideology

The report features interviews with young settlers, many of whom are recent immigrants from the United States.

• The Third Temple Movement: Participants were observed carrying flags representing the "Third Temple," explicitly calling for the destruction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
• Kahanism: The influence of Meir Kahane is prominent, with marchers distributing stickers stating "Kahane was right."
• Extremist Rhetoric: One interviewee described Islam as a "cancer" that must be "destroyed" through either killing or "re-educating" Muslims.
• Governmental Ties: The report notes that Itamar Ben-Gvir, the current National Security Minister—who has a history of convictions for supporting terrorist organizations—actively participated in the day’s events by unfurling Israeli colors at the Al-Aqsa site.

3. Impact on the Palestinian Community

The march creates a climate of fear and intimidation for the Palestinian residents of the Old City.

• Economic and Social Disruption: On Jerusalem Day, the Old City becomes a "ghost town." Shopkeepers like Shaheen are forced to close their businesses, and residents are effectively confined to their homes for safety.
• Harassment: Residents report being spat upon and intimidated by young activists. The video captures instances where marchers actively attempt to disrupt journalistic efforts to interview Palestinians, using noise and physical presence to drown out their voices.
• Systemic Escalation: Residents note that the situation has deteriorated annually, with the frequency and intensity of settler violence increasing alongside the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

4. Counter-Movements: "Standing Together"

In contrast to the ultra-nationalist marchers, the video highlights the "Standing Together" movement. These activists, including Jewish Israelis, position themselves between the marchers and the Palestinian community.

• Objective: Their goal is to protect Palestinian residents from violence and to protest the occupation.
• Philosophy: They reject the narrative that the day is a celebration, instead labeling it a day of "occupation." They argue that justice must be universal and that the current path of the settler movement is unsustainable.
• Risk: These activists acknowledge the physical danger they face, stating they are willing to "get hit" to prevent violence against their Palestinian neighbors.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The video illustrates a deepening divide within Israeli society. The rise of the ultra-nationalist settler movement, now empowered by government support, has transformed Jerusalem Day into a flashpoint for intimidation and radical rhetoric. While the majority of the population is described as peaceful, the emboldened settler activists are actively working to displace or marginalize the Palestinian population of the Old City. The presence of the "Standing Together" movement serves as a stark reminder that there remains a segment of Israeli society committed to coexistence, though they currently operate against a backdrop of hardening attitudes and increasing political extremism.