Israeli Ultranationalists Chant Racist Slogans During Jerusalem Day March

Tens of thousands of Israeli ultranationalists, primarily teenagers and young adults, participated in the annual Jerusalem Day march through Jerusalem's Old City on May 14, 2026. The event, which commemorates Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in 1967, was marked by heightened tensions and violence. Participants chanted racist slogans such as "Death to Arabs" and "May your villages burn," while intimidating Palestinian residents. Consequently, most Palestinian shopkeepers closed their businesses and stayed indoors to avoid harassment, although authorities sometimes order these closures. Activists from the grassroots movement Standing Together attempted to protect remaining open shops and de-escalate tensions, accusing police of failing to intervene adequately. Journalists covering the event also faced hostility, with some being shoved or blocked from filming. The march occurred against a backdrop of ongoing conflict, including Israel's war with Iran and frequent ceasefire violations in Gaza. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attended the march after visiting the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. The United Nations considers the annexation of East Jerusalem illegal under international law, highlighting the deep political and social divisions exacerbated by this annual parade.