In the 49th memory of Jerusalem’s occupation: Jerusalem Day March passes through Old City
Since the early hours of June 05, 2016, hundreds of colonists organized a rally that passed through the streets, neighborhoods ad alleys of Jerusalem city in anniversary of the so-called "Unification of Jerusalem". This event occurred right before a massive march from the western side of the city headed towards the Old City, starting from Dung gate and ending in the Wailing Wall where a big ceremony will be held.
Since the occupation of Jerusalem in 1967, fanatic groups of colonists, each year, organize this march of flags. Marchers wear t-shirts with hatred slogans and discrimination words. Not only, chants of hate and incitement are heard, calling upon expelling Arabs and re-establishing the Temple Mount.
Policemen deployed all over Jerusalem and down the alleys of the Old City. Checkpoints were set p and roads were closed to secure the route of the march. As a result, a big traffic occurred in the areas of Wad Al-Jouz, Ras Al-Amoud and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. Street vendors and shop owners were forced to close their business as well until the march ends.
Around 35,000 buyers were affected due to this event; especially it occurred during the fasting month of Ramadan. Police restricted people's movement from and to their houses and markets.
Israel Supreme Court rejected a plea submitted by the Amir Amim Human Rights organization, which called to ban the march from passing through the Muslim quarter. The court turned down the plea and ruled in favor of the usual route of the march.
Sadly, the march occurred during the 49th memory of Jerusalem's occupation. It has been 49 years that the international community did not step in or intervene, through UN, apply the following resolution of Security Council:
Un Security Council resolution 242, Affirms that the fulfilment of Charter principles requires the establishment of a just and lasting peace in the Middle East which should include the application of both the following principles:
(i) Withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict;
(ii) Termination of all claims or states of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every State in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognized boundaries free from threats or acts of force;
Un Security Council resolution 298 Deplores the failure of Israel to respect the previous resolutions adopted by the United Nations concerning measures and actions by Israel purporting to affect the status of the City of Jerusalem. Confirms in the clearest possible terms that legislative and administrative actions taken by Israel to change the status of the City of Jerusalem, including expropriation of land and properties, transfer of populations and legislation aimed at the incorporation of the occupied section, are totally invalid.
Un Security Council resolution 237 Calls upon the Government of Israel to ensure the safety, welfare and security of the inhabitants of the areas where military operations have taken place and to facilitate the return of those inhabitants who have fled the areas since the outbreak of hostilities. Recommends to the Governments concerned the scrupulous respect of the humanitarian principles governing the protection of civilian persons in time of war contained in the Geneva Conventions.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
