Israel deploys heavy police presence ahead of contentious Jerusalem march

By JOSEF FEDERMAN
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has deployed over 2,000 police for a parade by flag-waving Jewish nationalists through the main Palestinian thoroughfare in Jerusalem’s Old City. Authorities say the heightened security presence is part of a determined effort to ensure the contentious event passes without violence on Thursday. Police have decided to allow the thousands of marchers to take the “traditional” route through the Old City’s Damascus Gate. That’s despite an uptick in Israeli-Palestinian violence over the past year and heavy fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza last week. While Israeli officials describe the parade as a festive event, it has been marred by anti-Arab racist chants in the past. The Hamas militant group has urged Palestinians to confront the march.