The clashes erupted overnight from Thursday to Friday as Israeli police were mobilized to frame a march organized by the far-right Jewish movement Lahava, a group openly hostile to Palestinians, at the entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem.
The security forces had deployed hundreds of police and cavalry near the Damascus gate and in neighboring districts, in order, according to them, to protect "freedom of expression" and the "right to demonstrate".
But this demonstration by the Lahava group was seen as a provocative gesture with cries of "Death to the Arabs" and led to clashes with Palestinians returning from nighttime Ramadan prayers at the Mosques plaza.
Young Palestinians staged a counter-demonstration to oppose the march and incidents broke out.
Witnesses said fires were lit in streets on the outskirts of the Old City while witnesses shared images of fierce clashes on social media.
Horrifying night in Jerusalem.
“Hundreds of Jewish Supremacists March Toward Jerusalem's Old City Chanting 'Death to Arabs'” Haaretz.
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- Abier Khatib (@abierkhatib) April 22, 2021
The Palestinian Red Crescent has reported at least 105 wounded, of which around 20 have been transferred to hospital, while the police added that they identified 20 wounded in its ranks and arrested 70 people in the clashes, the most violent events in recent years in the Holy City.