2021 Israel–Palestine crisis

2021 Israel–Palestine crisis
Part of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Israeli police forces in Lod, 11 May 2021
Date	6 May 2021 – present (3 years, 1 month and 1 week)
Location	Israel, Palestinian territories
Caused by	Planned decision by the Supreme Court of Israel on the eviction of Palestinians in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah Closure of the Damascus Gate by Israeli authorities Storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli police
Status	Decision to evict Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah in East Jerusalem delayed by the Supreme Court of Israel for 30 days Ongoing rocket fire by Hamas and Islamic Jihad into Israel and airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force inside Gaza
Parties
Israel Israel Police Israel Border Police Israel Defense Forces Israeli Air Force Palestinian protesters Arab Israeli protesters Hamas Islamic Jihad
Casualties and losses
6 civilians killed 1 child (per Israeli MOH) 2 Arab-Israelis 1 Indian 200+ civilians wounded 1 soldier killed, 2 wounded 21 policemen injured Gaza Strip: 65 civilians and militants killed 300+ wounded 16 children killed (per Gaza MOH) 41 militants killed (per Israel) East Jerusalem: 1 Arab-Israeli protester killed 300 Palestinian protesters injured 23 protesters arrested West Bank: 5 Palestinians killed

On 6 May 2021, protests by Palestinians began in Jerusalem over a planned decision by the Supreme Court of Israel regarding the eviction of Palestinian residents in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighbourhood of East Jerusalem. The Palestinian protests quickly escalated into violent skirmishes with Israeli settlers, and Israeli police forces stormed the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, a major Islamic holy site, on the following day. Coinciding with the Islamic day of significance of Laylat al-Qadr and Israel's Jerusalem Day, the violence injured more than 300 people, most of whom were Palestinian civilians, and drew international condemnation. The Israeli Supreme Court ruling was then delayed by 30 days as Avichai Mandelblit, the Attorney General of Israel, sought to reduce tensions.

The raid by Israeli police occurred ahead of a planned flag march by far-right Jewish nationalists that was later cancelled. On 10 May, in response to the unrest in Jerusalem, Hamas and Islamic Jihad began firing rockets into Israel, hitting multiple residences and a school. Israel responded to the rocket attacks with airstrikes inside the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. On 11 May, after evacuation warnings, Israeli airstrikes targeted a 13-story residential tower in Gaza, which also contained a Hamas office, causing it to collapse.

Since 10 May, at least 65 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 16 children, while seven Israelis have been killed, including one child. According to the Israel Defense Forces, at least 15 of the Palestinian casualties were confirmed to be Hamas militants, and other Palestinian civilian casualties were caused by errant rocket launches within Gaza. As of 12 May 2021, both Israel and the Palestinian National Authority reported at least 300 Palestinian injuries in Gaza and over 200 Israeli injuries.

Background

Entrance to the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood

At the start of Ramadan in April 2021, Israeli police blocked off access to Damascus Gate where Muslim worshippers usually congregate during the holiday, leading to protests that would result with Israel removing the barriers two weeks later. On 15 April, a TikTok video of a Palestinian teen slapping an ultra-orthodox Jewish man went viral, leading to several copycat incidents. The next day, tens of thousands of Palestinian worshippers were turned away from Al-Aqsa, on the first Friday of Ramadan. On the same day, a Rabbi was beaten in Jaffa causing two days of protests. On 22 April, the far-right Jewish supremacist group Lehava held a march through Jerusalem chanting "death to Arabs". The IDF fired missiles at Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on 23 April after 36 rockets were fired at southern Israel. In the following days, a Palestinian boy and a 19 year old Israeli settler were killed. On 6 May, incendiary balloon attacks launched from Gaza set off 6 fires and far-right Israeli politician Itamar Ben-Gvir set up his office in Sheikh Jarrah, causing clashes.

The long-running dispute over land in Sheikh Jarrah is considered a microcosm of the Israeli-Palestinian disputes over land since 1948. Israel's laws allow Jews to file claims over land in the West Bank and East Jerusalem which they may have owned prior to 1948, but reject the more numerous but otherwise equivalent Palestinian claims over land in Israel which they owned.

According to Ottoman documents presented by the settler organizations, the disputed land in Sheikh Jarrah was bought by Jewish trusts from Arab landowners in the 1870s; the authenticity of these documents has been questioned. In 1956, the Jordanian government, in cooperation with the United Nations' organization for refugees, UNRWA, housed 28 Palestinian refugee families with tenancy rights in a compound on land that Jordan managed as Custodian of Enemy Property. After the Six-Day War, the area fell under Israeli occupation. In 1972, the Israeli Custodian General registered the properties under the Jewish trusts, which in turn demanded that the Palestinian tenants there pay the trusts rent. Eviction orders began to occur in the 1990s. The Jewish trusts sold the homes to a right-wing settler organization, who have since made repeated attempts to evict the Palestinian residents. Under Israeli land and property laws, Israelis have the right to reclaim properties in East Jerusalem owned by Jews before the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, but no similar law exists that would allow Palestinians to claim their lost property inside Israel during the hostilities. The Sheikh Jarrah district houses the descendants of refugees expelled or displaced in 1948 in the Nakba. According to the Jerusalem Institute for Policy Research, this approach to property rights is unacceptable in international law.

In 2010, the Supreme Court of Israel rejected an appeal by Palestinian families who had resided in 57 housing units in the area of Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, who had petitioned the court to have their ownership to the properties recognized. In 2021 Israel's Supreme Court was expected to deliver a ruling on whether to uphold the eviction of six Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood on 10 May 2021.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right Israeli politician, visited Sheikh Jarrah shortly before the clashes began, where he claimed that the houses belonged to Jews and told police to "open fire" on protesters. Agence France-Presse reported that Israeli settlers had been seen in Sheikh Jarrah openly carrying assault rifles and revolvers leading up to the clashes. Previous clashes had begun following the Israeli government's closure of the Damascus Gate, a popular place for Muslims to gather during Ramadan, and when the Israeli government imposed a 10,000-person limit on people praying at the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Palestinian protesters were also frustrated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's decision to postpone the 2021 Palestinian legislative election, believing he had done so to avoid political defeat for his party Fatah.

Escalation

Aerial photograph of al-Aqsa Mosque, on the Temple Mount, the site of some of the clashes

Palestinian protests began on 6 May in Sheikh Jarrah, but clashes soon spread to Al-Aqsa mosque, Lod, and other Arab localities in Israel and the West Bank.

Sheikh Jarrah

Palestinians and Israeli settlers first clashed on 6 May in Sheikh Jarrah, where Palestinian families are at risk of being evicted. Palestinian protesters had been holding nightly outdoor iftars. On 6 May, Israeli settlers and Otzma Yehudit setup a table across the street from Palestinians. Social media videos showed both sides hurling rocks and chairs at each other. Israeli police intervened and arrested at least 7 people.

Al-Aqsa Mosque

Further clashes followed at the al-Aqsa Mosque. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said 136 people were wounded across Jerusalem that evening, and the Israeli government said six police officers were also wounded.

On 7 May, large forces of police were deployed on the Temple Mount as around 70,000 worshippers attended the final Friday prayers of Ramadan at Al-Aqsa Mosque. After the evening prayer, some Palestinians worshippers began throwing rocks and other objects at Israeli police officers. The police broke into a field clinic and fired stun grenades inside the clinic and also into the mosque. More than 300 Palestinians were wounded as Israeli police stormed the mosque compound. Palestinians threw rocks, firecrackers, and heavy objects, while Israeli police fired stun grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets at worshippers. The storming came ahead of a Jerusalem Day flag march by Jewish nationalists through the Old City. At least 215 Palestinians were injured, 153 of whom were hospitalised. Militants in Gaza fired rockets into Israel the following night.

More clashes occurred on 8 May, the date of the Islamic holy night of Laylat al-Qadr. Palestinian crowds threw stones, lit fires, and chanted "Strike Tel Aviv" and “In spirit and in blood, we will redeem al-Aqsa”, which The Times of Israel described as in support of Hamas. The Israel Police, wearing riot gear and some on horseback, used stun grenades and water cannons. At least 80 people were injured.

Arab localities in Israel

Israeli police officers in Lod

During the evening and night of 10 May, Arab rioters in Lod threw stones and firebombs at Jewish homes, a school, and a synagogue, later attacking a hospital. Shots were fired at the rioters, killing one and wounding two; a Jewish suspect in the shooting was arrested.

Widespread protests and riots intensified across Israel, particularly in cities with a large Arab population. In Lod, rocks were thrown at Jewish apartments. Some Jewish residents were evacuated from their homes by the police. One man was seriously injured after being struck in the head by a rock. In the nearby Ramle, Jewish rioters threw rocks at passing vehicles. On 11 May, Mayor of Lod Yair Revivio urged Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu to deploy Israel Border Police in the city, stating that the city had "completely lost control" and describing it as "near civil war". Netanyahu declared a state of emergency in Lod on 11 May, marking the first time since 1966 that Israel has used emergency powers over an Arab community. Minister of Public Security Amir Ohana announced the implementation of emergency orders.

Unrest continued on 12 May. In Acre, a Jewish man was attacked and seriously injured by an Arab mob armed with sticks and stones while driving his car. In Bat Yam, Jewish extremists attacked Arab stores and beat pedestrians. A motorcyclist was also beaten in the street after being mistaken for an Arab.

Gaza

Further information: List of Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel in 2021

Wreckage of a bus and car in Holon after a rocket attack

Hamas demanded Israel remove its forces from Al-Aqsa mosque by 10 May, 6pm. Minutes after the deadline passed, Hamas fired more than 150 rockets into Israel from Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that seven rockets were fired toward Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh and that one was intercepted. An anti-tank missile was also fired at an Israeli civilian vehicle, injuring the driver.

In response, Israel launched air strikes in the Gaza strip on the same day.

The 13-story residential Hanadi Tower in Gaza collapsed on 11 May after being hit by an Israeli airstrike. The IDF said the building contained offices used by Hamas, and said it gave "advance warning to civilians in the building and provided sufficient time for them to evacuate the site". Hamas and the Islamic Jihad responded by firing 137 rockets at Tel Aviv in five minutes. Hamas claimed that they fired their "largest ever barrage".

An Israeli state-owned oil pipeline was hit by a rocket on 11 May.

On 12 May, the Israeli Air Force destroyed dozens of police and security installations along the Gaza Strip; Hamas said its police headquarters were among the targets destroyed. Over 850 rockets were launched from Gaza into Israel on 12 May.

According to the Israeli Military, at least 200 rockets failed to reach Israel, and fell inside the Gaza strip.

Casualties

As of 12 May 65 Palestinians had been killed, including 16 children, and more than 300 others wounded.

A Hamas commander, identified as Mohammed Abdullah Fayyad, as well as three high-ranking Islamic Jihad commanders were also killed. Another Hamas member was killed on 11 May. The deaths of the five commanders were confirmed by official statements of both the groups. The deaths of other militants are suspected, but not however confirmed. It is disputed whether some of the first victims on 10 May died as a result of an Israeli airstrike or an errant Palestinian rocket.

On 11 May, Hamas and Islamic Jihad responded to the Israeli raids, launching hundreds of rockets at Ashdod and Ashkelon, killing two people and wounding more than 90 others. A third Israeli woman from Rishon LeZion was also killed, while two more civilians from Dahmash and a soldier died the next day.

Bassem Issa, a top Hamas commander was killed.

Reactions

Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Amman, Jordan on 9 May 2021

Pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, England on 9 May 2021

Israeli and Palestinian

On 9 May 2021, the Israeli Supreme Court delayed the expected decision on evictions for 30 days, after an intervention from Attorney General of Israel Avichai Mandelblit. Israel Police also banned Jews from going to the al-Aqsa plaza for Jerusalem Day festivities. On 10 May, Israel closed the Kerem Shalom border crossing, including for humanitarian aid. Due to rocket fire on 11 May, the Israel Airports Authority briefly halted air travel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the actions of the Israeli police and said that Israel "shall not allow any radical element to undermine the calm". He also said "we firmly reject the pressure not to build in Jerusalem". Israeli officials asked the Biden administration not to intervene in the situation.

On 10 May 2021, President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, issued a statement that the "brutal storming and assault on worshipers in the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque and its courtyards is a new challenge to the international community".

A spokesman for the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine said that Israel "started the aggression on Jerusalem. If this aggression does not end, there is no point to diplomatic efforts to reach a cease-fire". Hamas gave an ultimatum to the Israel government, saying if they did not remove forces from the mosque by 2 a.m. on 11 May, then they would conduct another rocket strike.

Netanyahu convened an emergency security meeting on 11 May and schools in several parts of Israel were closed.

Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin, condemned the riots in Lod, describing them as a pogrom.

International

International organisations

Organisation	Response(s)
European Union	The European Union called on both sides to de-escalate tensions and reiterated "violence and incitement are unacceptable and the perpetrators on all sides must be held accountable".
United Nations	The UN called on Israel to cancel any planned evictions and use "maximum restraint in the use of force" against protesters. The United Nations Security Council met for a closed session on 10 May to discuss the issue. There, they discussed issuing a statement, which was rejected due to concerns from the United States.
Arab League	An emergency online meeting was held on 11 May. Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, condemned Israeli air strikes on Gaza as "indiscriminate and irresponsible".
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation	On 11 May, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israel and reiterated support for Palestine.
International Criminal Court	On 12 May 2021, prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said she was concerned about the escalating violence and the possibility of war crimes being committed.

National

Country	Response(s)
Argentina	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning both the use of excessive force by Israeli security forces and Hamas for launching rockets against Israeli soil. It further expressed worry and urged both sides to de-escalate tensions.
Armenia	On 11 May, Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "deep concern" over the clashes, calling on "all the involved parties to show restraint to reduce the tension and prevent future deaths among civilians".
Bahrain	On 8 May, the Times of Israel reported that Bahraini officials strongly condemned actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the potential evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, and called on Israel to "stop these rejected provocations against the people of Jerusalem, and work to prevent its forces from attacking worshipers in this holy month".
Canada	On 9 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marc Garneau, called for "immediate de-escalation of tensions and for all sides to avoid any unilateral actions". He also expressed concern that "recent decisions on settlements, and demolitions and evictions, including in Sheikh Jarrah, would negatively impact livelihoods and undermine the prospects for a two-state solution".
Chile	The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "deep concern over escalating violence" and said (without referring to any side) that "Any action whose indiscriminate target is the civilian population is unjustifiable, seriously infringes against humanitarian law, and deserves the total repudiation of the international community", and called for a ceasefire.
Egypt	On 9 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Israel "must stop all measures that violate the sanctity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque" and asserted that potential evictions were a violation of international law. On 11 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sameh Shoukry, told an emergency meeting of the Arab League that Egypt had reached out to Israel with an offer to mediate, but had not received the "necessary response".
France	On 10 May, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs called for "all concerned to show the greatest restraint and refrain from any provocation to allow a return to calm as swiftly as possible".
Germany	On 10 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Heiko Maas, told reporters in Brussels that "we can only call on all sides to deescalate this truly explosive situation" and "both sides can contribute to this". He added that both Israeli and Palestinian authorities "have a duty to prevent further civilian casualties".
Indonesia	On 10 May, President Joko Widodo condemned the Israeli police raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and urged the United Nations Security Council to "take measures". He added that "Indonesia will continue to stand with the people of Palestine".
Iran	On 7 May, the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, described the Israeli police raid on the Al-Aqsa Mosque as "malicious behavior". On 9 May, The Guardian reported that Iranian officials had called on the United Nations to condemn the actions of the Israeli police, describing them as a "war crime". On 11 May, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammad Javad Zarif, said that the raid on Al-Aqsa was "the largest evidence of the racist, criminal nature of the usurping entity that was always the primary cause of insecurity and instability in this region".
Ireland	On 10 May, Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney condemned the brutal response of Israeli security services, calling it "completely unacceptable". On 11 May, Leader of the Opposition Mary Lou McDonald said the attacks on Palestine were "wholesale flouting of international law by Israeli state". Israel's envoy to Ireland was also summoned to lodge an official protest.
Jordan	On 9 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli police raid on Al-Aqsa as barbaric and summoned the Israeli ambassador to Jordan, Amir Weissbrod, to lodge an official protest. Jordanian news outlets reported that King Abdullah II expressed his support for the Palestinian people and condemned the Israeli actions in a phone call with Mahmoud Abbas.
Malaysia	On 8 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, condemned Israeli police actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin likewise "strongly condemned" Israel, calling for Israel to "immediately cease its aggression".
Malta	On 11 May, the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs issued a statement that called for the cessation of violence, expressed condolences to families of victims, and recognised "the right of the Palestinians not to be deprived of their homes in East Jerusalem". The Ministry reiterated its support for a two-state solution.
Morocco	On 9 May, Voice of America reported that King Mohammed VI had expressed "deep concern" over the violence in Jerusalem.
Namibia	On 10 May, the Namibian government, through its Ministry of International Relations, said that it "condemns the violence exercised by the Israeli police [...] against Palestinian demonstrators and the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, assaulting peaceful worshippers".
New Zealand	On 11 May, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, called on Israel to "cease demolitions and evictions" and for "both sides to halt steps which undermine prospects for a two state solution".
Oman	On 8 May, the Foreign Ministry of Oman, condemned the Israeli police actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and "policies and procedures leading to the displacement of the brotherly Palestinian people from their homes in the city of Jerusalem". The Ministry reiterated its support for an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital.
Pakistan	On 9 May, the Prime Minister, Imran Khan, condemned the Israeli police actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque, stating that such actions violated "all norms of humanity and [international] law". Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi also condemned the police actions at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, adding that "such brutality is against [the] very spirit of humanity and human rights law".
Philippines	On 12 May, the Department of Foreign Affairs released a statement raising "concern" on the escalation of violence in parts of Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, and likewise urged all parties to exercise restraint and seek dialogue to de-escalate tensions and avoid further actions that could affect future Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
Russia	On 8 May, Russian officials expressed "deep concern" and strongly condemned "attacks against civilians". Officials also called on "all parties to refrain from any steps fraught with the escalation of violence".
Saudi Arabia	On 8 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement that the kingdom "rejects Israel's plans and measures to evict dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem and impose Israeli sovereignty over them".
South Africa	On 10 May, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the ANC condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the potential evictions and the "brutal attacks on Palestinian protesters at Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock".
Sudan	On 8 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement describing Israeli actions in Jerusalem as "repression" and "coercive action". The statement called on the Israeli government to "refrain from taking unilateral steps that diminish the chances for resuming peace negotiations".
Turkey	On 9 May, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave a speech in Ankara describing Israel as a "cruel terrorist state" and calling on the United Nations to intervene to "stop the persecution" of Palestinians.
United Arab Emirates	On 8 May, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Khalifa al-Marar, issued a statement condemning the potential evictions and clashes in Jerusalem. He also called on the Israeli government to "provide necessary protection to Palestinian civilians' right to practice their religion, and to prevent practices that violate the sanctity of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque".
United Kingdom	On 10 May, the Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, condemned the rocket attacks on Jerusalem and called for "immediate de-escalation on all sides" and an "end to targeting of civilian populations". Leader of the Opposition, Keir Starmer, said that "Israel must respect international law" and called on the Israeli government to work with Palestinian leaders to de-escalate tensions. On 11 May First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon condemned Israeli attacks on al-Aqsa as "utterly indefensible".
United States	On 9 May, a representative from the State Department condemned the firing of rockets into Israel from Gaza. The State Department also expressed concern about the potential evictions. Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued statements condemning Israel over the potential evictions. On 10 May, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said that it was "imperative that all sides take steps to de-escalate and calm the situation". He expressed "deep concern" about rocket attacks into Israel and called for them to stop immediately. On 11 May, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki condemned the rocket attacks into Israel and added that President Biden's support for Israel's "legitimate right to defend itself and its people" is "fundamental and will never waiver". She added that White House personnel had been engaging with Israeli and Palestinian officials and that de-escalation was the White House's primary focus. On 12 May, it was announced that Hady Amr, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs and Press and Public Diplomacy, would be sent to the region "immediately".
Vatican City	On 9 May, Pope Francis called for peace and an end to clashes in Jerusalem during his Regina Coeli address.

Protests

• On 9 May, the Muslim Association of Britain organised protests in London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bradford, in opposition to the potential evictions.
• On 10 May, thousands of Jordanians protested outside the Israeli embassy in Amman.
• On 10 May, thousands of Turks, Syrians, and Palestinians protested outside the Israeli consulate in Istanbul. Protesters gathered in Turkey despite the complete closure due to COVID-19, with Palestinian and Turkish flags in their hands, "Turkish army go to Gaza!" shouted slogans in the form.
• On 11 May, hundreds of South Africans held a pro-Palestinian protest in Cape Town.
• On 11 May, hundreds of protesters held a pro-Palestinian protest in Brighton.
• Pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters in Manhattan clashed on 11 May.
• A pro-Palestinian demonstration was held on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. on the afternoon of 11 May.
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and American Muslims for Palestine organised a pro-Palestinian protest outside the State Department in Washington, D.C. on 11 May. The protest was attended by Representatives Rashida Tlaib and André Carson.
• A British campaign, "Friends of Al-Aqsa", sent at least 45,000 emails to members of parliament, which organizer Ismail Patel said he was "overwhelmed" by and said "demonstrates that the leaders of Britain's main political parties, who have largely kept quiet on the crisis in Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque and Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, are out of touch with public opinion".

Social media

• Instagram and Twitter users who had written in support of the Palestinians said their posts had been deleted or their accounts had been suspended. The companies apologized and blamed the situation on a technical glitch.
• A video circulated on social media showing Israelis celebrating at the Western Wall, whilst a tree in the background, at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, was on fire. A large crowd of Israeli Jews gathered around a fire near the mosque on 10 May, chanting yimakh shemam. IfNotNow co-founder Simone Zimmerman criticized them as exhibiting "genocidal animus towards Palestinians — emboldened and unfiltered". The Intercept described the video as "unsettling" and an example of "ultranationalist frenzy". Ayman Odeh, an MK for the Joint List said the video was "shocking". Journalist David Patrikarakos described the video as an example of "fake news", on the grounds that singing and dancing are a part of annual Jerusalem Day celebrations and that the fire was started by Palestinian protesters throwing firecrackers.
• Twitter restricted the account of Palestinian-American journalist Mariam Barghouti, who was reporting on the protests from the West Bank. Barghouti said Twitter asked her to delete some of her tweets. The company later said the account restriction was due to an error.

See also

• 2018–2019 Gaza border protests
• List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
• List of ongoing armed conflicts
• Timeline of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, 2021

External links

• Jerusalem violence: The Israeli-Palestinian situation explained. BBC News Online