BREAKING NEWS

Jerusalem Day: Bennett briefed on flag march preparations

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was briefed on preparations by Israel Police ahead of Sunday's flag march in Jerusalem.

Bennett received a comprehensive security briefing on the march, which is set to pass through Damascus Gate and the Muslim Quarter to the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, stopping before reaching Temple Mount.

Due to this, Bennett called for "business as usual" on Temple Mount on Sunday as updated situational assessments will be held throughout the weekend.

The Israeli government's decision to allow the flag march, part of Jerusalem Day celebrations, to go through, stoked fears that the march could lead to renewed violence between Israeli forces securing the march and Palestinian rioters.

The briefing was held in the attendance of Israel Police chief Kobi Shabtai, Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev and other security officials in the government and police.

The NGO "Fighters for Peace" said in response:

"Following a number of violent incidents in the [West Bank] territories, the Israeli government is insisting on stoking tensions by holding a lawless march whose purpose is to satisfy the urges of the messianic Right. 

"The flag march is a violent event, and every year we witness acts of violence and looting that occur throughout it, which demand the closing of shops along the march's route. We call on the government to immediately cancel the flag march in order to prevent the continuation of the circle of violence."