Israel
Controversial Jerusalem Day march to pass through Damascus Gate and Muslim quarter
Over 3,000 police officers and border guards will secure the march
June 5, 2024 09:56
Over 3,000 police officers and border guards will secure the march
June 5, 2024 09:56As Jerusalem marks the 57th anniversary of Israeli rule, the city’s police have approved plans for the annual flag march to pass through the Old City's Damascus Gate and Muslim Quarter on its way to the Western Wall.
Over 3,000 police officers and border guards will secure the march and other events scheduled for Wednesday. The march will commence at 4pm from City Hall’s Safra Square, proceeding through the Old City's gates, including Damascus Gate, before culminating at the Western Wall plaza with a main ceremony at 7 pm.
"While recent months have seen attempted attacks in the capital, there is currently no specific threat regarding the flag march," according to a police spokesperson. Nonetheless, stringent security measures will be implemented, including aerial surveillance and undercover operations.
Major road closures are expected from 2 pm, disrupting traffic and public transportation in central Jerusalem. The city's light rail will operate partially between certain stations from 4:30 pm until 8 pm
Jerusalem Day commemorates the reunification of the city under Israeli control during the 1967 Six-Day War, which saw Israeli forces take East Jerusalem from the Jordanians as well as the Golan Heights from Syria and Sinai from Egypt. This year's celebrations will include guided tours, lectures and cultural performances highlighting Jerusalem's rich heritage.
According to data published by Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of Jerusalem Day, the country’s largest city has surpassed one million residents, adding 13,400 residents last year, with most of the new residents coming from Bnei Brak, Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv-Yafo.
Jews and other non-Arab populations made up 60.5 per cent of the city’s residents at the end of 2023, with Arabs comprising just over a third. Around 29 per cent of all of the city’s residents were ultra-Orthodox Jews, representing about half of the non-Arab population.
Jerusalem’s total fertility was 3.68 children per woman, exceeding the national average birth rate of 2.89. The total fertility rate of Jewish and other non-Arab Jerusalemites was 4.3, compared to the national average of 2.9. The total fertility rate for Arab women in Jerusalem was 2.81, compared with 2.75 on the national average.
Other statistics of note include the city’s workforce participation rate in 2023, which was 52.2 per ent compared to the national average of 63.5 per cent.
Jerusalemites are as satisfied with their lives as the rest of Israel, at 91 per cent compared 90 per cent nationally, with 93 per cent of Jews and 86 per cent of Arabs. They are also satisfied with their work at 87 per cent, versus 89 per cent nationally.