Israel
Haaretz office attacked on Jerusalem Day
And in Jerusalem reporter injured by marchers
June 6, 2024 12:43
And in Jerusalem reporter injured by marchers
June 6, 2024 12:43The glass entrance to Israeli newspaper Haaretz’s building in Tel Aviv was smashed on Wednesday - as one of its reporters was injured in Jerusalem during celebrations for Jerusalem Day to mark the city’s reunification in 1967.
The left-wing newspaper confirmed that “no staff members were injured” in the incident.
But an hour later, Haaretz reporter Nir Hasson was attacked in the Old City ahead of the Jerusalem Day Flag March.
According to Haaretz, Hasson was knocked to the ground by several assailants and kicked until Border Police officers intervened.
Wednesday’s attack appears to have been one of several attempts by National Religious youth to prevent journalists filming them ahead of the annual flag march.
In total police arrested 18 suspects over violent offences. Some of the marchers threw bottles and jeered at journalists from Arabic news outlets.
Earlier on Wednesday, a group of Jewish Israelis visited the the site known to Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to Jews as the Temple Mount. While non-Muslims can visit, only Muslims can pray there.
Itamar Ben-Gvir the ultranationalist National Security Minister, declared that this year’s march sends a message to Hamas. He told reporters at the march: “We’re here to tell them that Jerusalem is ours, Damascus Gate is ours, and the Temple Mount is ours.”