Thousands of Israeli Jews will march through Muslim areas in the Old City of Jerusalem on Sunday, with Palestinians warning that this could lead to more violence.
This annual march is taking place at a time when tensions between the two sides have been escalating for months.
This flag-raising march takes place on Israel's Jerusalem Day (May 28-May 29) and commemorates the 1967 Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem.
Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians and many other countries around the world reject this claim.
The Palestinians claim that the future capital of their state will be occupied East Jerusalem, while Israel says the city will never be divided again.
Last year, the 11-day armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants began on Jerusalem Day, when Hamas fighters fired rockets at Israel after Israeli police cracked down on Palestinians in Old Jerusalem.
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| Jerusalem is a city of sacred sites for three major religions |
Last week, Israel's Minister of Public Security said the marchers would be allowed to enter the Old City from the Amu Darya (Damascus chapter). This route goes to Muslim parts. Palestinians have condemned the decision.
It should be noted that due to tensions last year, the participants of the march were not allowed to take this route.
Hamas, and another small militant group in Gaza, Islamic Jihad, have warned that "Jerusalem and the holy sites are a red line."
He said he would "use all means to protect his people and holy sites from Zionist attacks."
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| Al Jazeera reporter Shirin Abu Aqila, who was covering an Israeli army operation in West Jordan this month, was shot dead. |
Most of the marchers will pass through the Amu Darya chapter, while a small number will pass through the Babil Khalil (Jafa) chapter located between the Christian and Armenian territories. All participants will then gather on the Western Wall in the Jewish area.
The march is attended by thousands of young Jews, mostly carrying Israeli flags, marching through the four historic sites, chanting slogans and dancing.
Palestinians call the entire march provocative. The atmosphere is already tense this March.
Attacks on Israelis by Palestinians or Israeli Arabs, and the killing of dozens of Palestinians at the hands of Israeli forces, have provoked outrage on both sides.
Earlier this month, Al Jazeera reporter Shirin Abu Aqila, who was covering an Israeli military operation in the West Bank, was shot dead.
Palestinian investigators have concluded that he was shot dead by an Israeli soldier with "intent to kill," but Israel has denied the allegations.
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