"Jerusalem Day"... Prayers, attacks, and incursions isolate the Old City and deprive a Jerusalemite family of their joy
On Friday, Jerusalem's Old City saw widespread attacks by settlers, protected by Israeli police, during Israel's observance of the 59th anniversary of its occupation of East Jerusalem, known as "Jerusalem Day" according to the Hebrew calendar. The attacks involved mass prayers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque gates, assaults on residents and worshippers, attempts to storm homes in the Al-Sa'dyeh neighborhood, and the detention of several young men, including a Jerusalemite groom just hours before his engagement celebration.
Provocative prayers and celebrations at the gates of Al-Aqsa on "Jerusalem Day"
Since dawn, occupation forces have deployed heavily in the Old City and near Al-Aqsa Mosque. Settler groups gathered at the Lions' Gate, one of the outer gates of Al-Aqsa, where they held celebrations and religious rituals with loudspeakers and musical instruments, raising Israeli flags and flags of the so-called "Temple."
During the day and even after the afternoon prayer, settlers repeatedly prayed in successive groups outside the gates of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Jerusalemites described this scene as provocative and escalatory, especially following calls from 35 Israeli government figures, including ministers and Knesset members—most from the Likud party—as well as extremist “Temple” organizations. They urged permission to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque on Friday to mark what is called “Jerusalem Day.”
This happened just one day after groups on the Temple Mount described it as a "compensatory incursion" into the Al-Aqsa Mosque, coinciding with their yearly "Flag Dance" ceremony. Yesterday, 1,490 settlers entered the mosque amid tight security from Israeli occupation forces.
Attacks and insults against residents and merchants in the Old City markets
In the Old City markets, especially along al-Wad Street, settlers intentionally directed insults and profanities at Palestinian merchants and residents during their marches and provocations. They also vandalized property, damaged shops, and attacked worshippers on their way to the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers.
The attacks spread to the Al-Sa'dyeh neighborhood, where armed settlers targeted residents' homes and tried to break into some as residents went to Friday prayers.
Gas and other assaults preceded the engagement of Jerusalemite groom Yazan al-Jundi
The Wadi Hilweh Information Center stated that settlers were positioned in front of the al-Jundi family home in the Al-Sa'dyeh neighborhood and attempted to storm it. The family was getting ready to leave for Friday prayers and to prepare for their son Yazan's engagement party scheduled for Friday evening.
The center reported that settlers hurled insults and profanities at the family and sprayed tear gas at its members, including children and a woman, leading to panic inside the home. Family members attempted to defend themselves and stop the settlers from storming the house.
The center observed that Israeli occupation forces arrived during the settlers' attack, but rather than detaining the attackers, they arrested several family members and neighbors.
The detainees included Yazan al-Jundi, his brother Nasser, their cousins Rami and Tariq al-Jundi, along with Rawhi al-Kulghasi, Jihad Qaws, and Omar Zitawi.
Rawhi al-Kulghasi was violently beaten during his arrest.
In the evening, police further detained the groom, Yazan al-Jundi, along with his cousin Rami al-Jundi, Omar Zitawi, and Jihad Qaws, while releasing Nasser and Tariq al-Jundi.
The center highlighted that Yazan al-Jundi's arrest occurred just hours before his engagement party. This incident reflects what Jerusalemites see as efforts by the occupation and settlers to strip Jerusalemite families of their moments of happiness.
Arrests
In a related development, Israeli occupation forces carried out arrests inside and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque since early morning. They detained a woman and her son but released them later on the condition that they stay away from the mosque. During Friday prayers, a boy and two other young men were also detained.
Today, the Old City was closed off due to military checkpoints, a large presence of troops and settlers, and a tense atmosphere characterized by provocations and ongoing attacks on residents and worshippers. Simultaneously, there were continuous efforts to enforce Jewish religious rituals at the gates of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and surrounding areas.
