The flag parade, which is expected to begin tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon, is an institution with a long and distinguished tradition, which over the years has become controversial for various reasons. Partly because of the route of the parade, which passes through the Muslim Quarter. The fact that most of the participants belong to the national-religious stream contributed to the relatively religious aspect of the parade, which distances many secular Jews.
In many ways, Jerusalem Day has become a religious holiday, even if it is not. This year, another flag march is expected to begin for the first time, which is expected to eventually reach Ammunition Hill. The declared goal is to encourage the general public to take part in the celebrations of the liberation of Jerusalem. This is an initiative of Ammunition Hill – The Six-Day Heritage Center, in which the leadership of the Scout movement will take part this year.
Controversial change. The route of the flag march in the Muslim Quarter, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
Next year - a march for many kilometers. Safra Square. (Archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
This year the march will take place on Friday, the date of the liberation of Jerusalem. This is partly due to the fact that the approvals for the new parade were received at the last minute. Organizers say next year's event will coincide with the traditional flag march, although they insist it is not an alternative celebration or competition. "Over the years, Jerusalem Day has become the holiday of national religious circles, the most Israeli holiday excluded from large publics," explains the CEO of the Ammunition Hill website Keteri Maoz.
"As a national heritage center, responsible for commemorating the Six-Day War and the unification of Jerusalem, we have found that we must connect the entire range of audiences in Israel to Jerusalem Day, and especially the youth movements that mark for us the Israeli-Zionist path of values. Therefore, we initiated a march of members of the youth movements that will be attended by thousands of marchers – celebrants who will march on the Jerusalem Trail and end the march with singing, dancing and a ceremony marking Jerusalem Day on Ammunition Hill."
It has become a religious holiday, even though it is not. The mythological photograph from the moments of the liberation of Jerusalem during the Six-Day War, photo: David Rubinger/GPO
A festive ceremony sponsored by the municipality. Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon (Archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
"A tradition that will grow in the years to come"
About 1,500 Scouts will take part in the march, which this year will take place only around Ammunition Hill due to time constraints, and next year will be held from Independence Park to Safra Square and from there to Ammunition Hill. It will conclude with a festive ceremony attended by the Ministry of Jerusalem and Tradition, the Jerusalem Municipality, Ammunition Hill and the Scout leadership. "We see this event as a significant milestone – for the first time, secular youth movements are joining the celebrants and marchers in honor of Jerusalem. Hopefully we are starting a tradition that will grow in the coming years," Ammunition Hill said.
"A significant milestone." Ammunition Hill Director General, Katri Maoz (archive), photo: Oren Ben Hakon
About 1,500 members of the large youth movement. Scout uniform (archive), photo: Ami Shumen
"We initiated a march of members of the youth movements that will be attended by thousands of marchers. Revelers who will march on the Jerusalem Trail and end the march with singing, dancing and a ceremony marking Jerusalem Day on Ammunition Hill," Maoz says. "The flag is raised 'for the first time' by the Scouts movement, followed by many other youth movements. This is the first parade and will be followed by many, which will become a tradition among the youth movements on Jerusalem Day."
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