Hundreds of Israeli nationalists are taking part in a flag march through occupied East Jerusalem which Palestinians see as a provocation.
The new Israeli government approved changes to the route of the delayed annual event, which marks Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967.
Palestinian protesters clashed with Israeli police nearby before it began.
The Palestinian prime minister warned of “dangerous repercussions”, only weeks after the conflict in Gaza ended.
At least 256 people were killed in Gaza and 13 people were killed in Israel during 11 days of fierce fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants.
The violence came after weeks of spiralling Israeli-Palestinian tension which culminated on 10 May in clashes at a holy site in the Old City that is revered by both Muslims and Jews.
The march was originally due to take place on that day but was rerouted by Israeli authorities at the last minute and then cancelled.
The militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, then began firing rockets into Israel after warning it to withdraw from the holy site, triggering retaliatory air strikes from Israel on targets in Gaza.
The Jerusalem Day flag march is an annual event that marks Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem – home to the Old City and its holy sites – in the 1967 Middle East War.
Flag-waving Israeli youths usually make their way through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter via the Damascus Gate, chanting and singing patriotic songs.
The rescheduled march had been due to take place last Thursday, but organisers cancelled it after Israeli police rejected the proposed route, citing security concerns.
The government of former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said the march could go ahead this week if a format could be agreed by police and organisers. Mr Netanyahu was replaced on Sunday after 12 years in power.
Source: bbc.com
