US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel on Tuesday urged all parties to “maintain calm” ahead of the planned Jerusalem Day Flag March on Thursday.
During a press briefing, Patel was asked by a reporter about the planned celebration and replied, “We continue to urge the parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric and activities that would inflame tensions.”
The reporter then asked Patel whether the US is asking Israel to stop the march and whether it is urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop it.
Patel then replied, “Of course we believe in the right of – for individuals to express themselves and to do so peacefully. And what I will reiterate is that we are urging all parties to maintain calm, to exercise restraint, and to refrain from actions and rhetoric and activities that would escalate tensions.”
The Flag March takes marchers along the length of Jerusalem, marking the unification of the city during the Six Day War. Two years ago, Operation Guardian of the Walls erupted on Jerusalem Day, as rockets were fired towards Israel from Gaza and Arab Israelis held violent riots in mixed cities.
Prior to the violence, there had been discussions regarding changing the Flag March’s route. Last year, the march took place as customary, and passed quietly.
This year, government ministers have sent a message to Netanyahu demanding that the route of the march remain unchanged.
As of now, the march is expected to take place, according to the Prime Minister’s orders, along its regular route – including at the Damascus Gate.