Leftist political leader Zehava Gal-On did her best but failed to prevent Israelis from celebrating Jerusalem Day with the traditional Flag Dance march through the Old City on Sunday – including the Muslim Quarter.
Many tens of thousands of students and Israelis from around the country participate in the colorful and musical march every year, celebrating the reunification of Jerusalem. But as a rule, the Left have chosen to never participate in the march or the celebrations.
Writing in frustration on her Facebook page Sunday, the chairwoman of the Meretz political party condemned the annual procession.
She called it a “violent, racist act of provocation against Arab residents” of Jerusalem, joining other leftists who attempted to prevent this year’s parade with a petition and appeal to the High Court last week.
The effort failed, however, with the Court deciding it was not legal to prevent the 30-year-old procession from taking place, but noting there would be “zero room for tolerance for those provoking violence, verbally or physically.”
On Sunday morning, the chief rabbis of Israel led thousands in Jerusalem Day prayers at the Western Wall, attended also by heads of yeshivot and other senior clerics.
“It is outrageous to see far-right elements take over Jerusalem Day and turn it into a day that has entirely become a racist, violent act of provocation against the city’s Arabs,” Gal-On wrote.
“The ‘Flag Parade’ through the Muslim Quarter is an aggressive show of force whose entire purpose is to jab a finger in the eyes of the Palestinians.
“Officials who allow this disgrace do so in order to remind everyone they are lords of this Land and the ease with which they can come in, rampage and go wild.”
Sounds like sour grapes, by someone who hasn’t succeeded in redividing the city.
Photos from Jerusalem Day Parades past: