Israeli crowds chant racist slogans, taunt Palestinians during Jerusalem march

By ILAN BEN ZION
Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — Thousands of Jewish nationalists, some of them chanting “Death to Arabs” and other racist slogans, have paraded through the main Palestinian thoroughfare of Jerusalem’s Old City. The marchers on Thursday were overwhelmingly male Jewish Orthodox teens and young men, and the parade is meant to celebrate Israel’s capture of the Old City 56 years ago. The Palestinians see the annual event as a provocation. Two years ago, the parade helped fuel an 11-day war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. But by nightfall, this year’s event had passed without serious violence.