Israelis waving flags take to the streets, and skirmishes occur in the Al-Aqsa mosque

Tens of thousands of Israeli nationalists marched through Jerusalem’s Muslim neighborhood, some yelling “Death to Arabs,” defying threats of vengeance from Palestinian terrorists.

The annual march commemorates Israel’s 1967 Middle East war victory in Jerusalem, but it has also become a show of strength for Jewish nationalists seeking to expand their dominance in a city with a sizable Palestinian majority.

As they wove their way through the tight, stone streets, several marchers chanted and danced. Others were looking for conflict.

A group of youths chanted in front of Damascus Gate, the major entrance to the Muslim neighborhood of the Old City, “An Arab is a son of a whore.” Another group yelled, “May your villages burn!”

Police reported a record 2,600 Jews toured the Al-Aqsa esplanade ahead of the march, adding to the tensions. Palestinians threw stones and fired off fireworks in an attempt to stop the visits, but were forced back by police using stun grenades.

Some of the Jews appeared to be praying and dressed in religious clothing, despite a long-standing prohibition on Jewish worship in the site. A few others sang the national anthem while holding Israeli flags.

Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, the mosque’s preacher, condemned their actions. He told Reuters that “what happened today in Al-Aqsa mosque has not happened since 1967.”Al-Aqsa is the third holiest site in Islam. It is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount – a vestige of their faith’s two ancient temples.

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