Story perspectives

Ultra-Nationalists Storm Al-Aqsa, Police Fail to Intervene

5/16/2026

Left

Police Fail

Police failed to protect Palestinian residents as ultra-nationalist marchers shouted “Death to Arabs” and raised an Israeli flag at Al-Aqsa.
Authorities arrested a suspect planning a terror attack and 13 people during isolated clashes.
Palestinian shopkeepers closed early and bolted doors as the march entered the Muslim Quarter.
B’Tselem and Ir Amim reported vandalism, slogans and demolition threats linked to a “Greater Jerusalem” plan.

Right

IDF Prepares

The Israel Defense Forces announced plans to open a recruitment office and a museum in Jerusalem ahead of Jerusalem Day.
Thousands of police and volunteers will be deployed for the Jerusalem Day flag parade to draw tens of thousands.
Mayor Moshe Lion awarded the Yakir Yerushalayim honor to 12 seniors for community contributions.
Jerusalem’s 2025 population was 1.063 million, 56.6% Jews and others, 38.4% Arabs, fertility 3.68 per woman.

Center

Ben-Gvir Raises Flag

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir raised an Israeli flag on the Temple Mount, declaring the site “in our hands.”
Thousands of Israeli nationalists marched through Jerusalem on May 14, 2026, for the Jerusalem Day parade while police deployed officers.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee praised U.S.–Israel alliance and marked Jerusalem Day overlooking the Old City.
Standing Together and Tag Meir shielded Arab residents, reported assaults, and handed out flowers.

Blindspot

Left coverage gave less weight to the U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee’s speech praising the U.S.–Israel alliance and commemorating Jerusalem Day.
Right coverage did not include the detail that the U.S. Ambassador delivered a pro-Israel speech during the Jerusalem Day events.

History

Historical Context

After Jordan annexed East Jerusalem in 1950, Israel seized the Old City during the June 5-7 1967 Six-Day War, displacing roughly 300,000 Palestinians and adding 1.5 million dunams. The first Jerusalem Day parade in 1968 celebrated that victory; UN Security Council Resolution 252 (21 May 1968) condemned Israel’s actions. Today Itamar Ben-Gvir’s flag-raising and Mayor Moshe Lion’s festivities revive those nationalist displays, reigniting Arab-Jewish tensions.

1 of 5

Police Fail

Police failed to protect Palestinian residents as ultra-nationalist marchers shouted “Death to Arabs” and raised an Israeli flag at Al-Aqsa.
Authorities arrested a suspect planning a terror attack and 13 people during isolated clashes.
Palestinian shopkeepers closed early and bolted doors as the march entered the Muslim Quarter.
B’Tselem and Ir Amim reported vandalism, slogans and demolition threats linked to a “Greater Jerusalem” plan.

1 / 5