Feelings of disappointment, abandonment, and even defeat are prevalent among many East Jerusalem residents, following the annual flag parade held on Jerusalem Day, attended by many Jewish youths and adults.
The disappointment is a result of the heightened anticipation aroused by Hamas and other opposition organizations, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority, which called on the masses to take to the streets and confront the marchers, "and prove who owns" the east of the city. Moreover, the expectation that Hamas would carry out its threats and launch rockets or show determination and resolve during the day was proven false. The voices from the Gaza Strip have indicated they were accepting the march and not trying to challenge it. The other organizations that threatened frequently before the march likewise did not take any action that could affect it. Such moves, had they been taken, would have encouraged many to take to the streets, protest, and confront the marchers. In practice, the east of the city was painted blue and white, and very few East Jerusalem residents took to the streets.
Hamas, Hezbollah, and other opposition factors started with apologetic speeches in the style of "we will choose the right time and place" for a response, and other similar expressions that have no power to explain the gap between the promises and their inaction. The Palestinian Authority, which played into the hands of Hamas before the march, sought to see the organization fail and therefore did not intervene or reach out to the East Jerusalem population.
The explanation for the lack of action by the "resistance organizations" will become clear later. It may be due to the deterrence created by Israeli warnings, or perhaps was coupled with the Egyptian and Qatari pressure exerted on Hamas. These may have been cost-benefit considerations in light of the fear of the massive destruction that would be inflicted on the Gaza Strip again by the expected Israeli response. In any case, Hamas damaged the aura it created for itself over the past year among East Jerusalem residents, an aura of an initiating and invigorated organization willing to take risks.
The outrage is also directed at the weakened Palestinian Authority, which continues to remain silent and refrain from reaching out to residents who are involved in altercations with police more frequently than before and a Jewish public seeking to demonstrate a Jewish presence in the east of the city.
The sense of abandonment experienced by East Jerusalem residents on Jerusalem Day raises concerns about the inability of the two Palestinian leaderships to actually defend al-Aqsa, compounded by voices heard from Jewish marchers and speakers "longing for the Temple," as well as anxiety about the possibility that Israel will begin the process of "dividing the mosque.”
Feelings of disappointment, abandonment, and even defeat are prevalent among many East Jerusalem residents, following the annual flag parade held on Jerusalem Day, attended by many Jewish youths and adults.
The disappointment is a result of the heightened anticipation aroused by Hamas and other opposition organizations, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Authority, which called on the masses to take to the streets and confront the marchers, "and prove who owns" the east of the city. Moreover, the expectation that Hamas would carry out its threats and launch rockets or show determination and resolve during the day was proven false. The voices from the Gaza Strip have indicated they were accepting the march and not trying to challenge it. The other organizations that threatened frequently before the march likewise did not take any action that could affect it. Such moves, had they been taken, would have encouraged many to take to the streets, protest, and confront the marchers. In practice, the east of the city was painted blue and white, and very few East Jerusalem residents took to the streets.
Hamas, Hezbollah, and other opposition factors started with apologetic speeches in the style of "we will choose the right time and place" for a response, and other similar expressions that have no power to explain the gap between the promises and their inaction. The Palestinian Authority, which played into the hands of Hamas before the march, sought to see the organization fail and therefore did not intervene or reach out to the East Jerusalem population.
The explanation for the lack of action by the "resistance organizations" will become clear later. It may be due to the deterrence created by Israeli warnings, or perhaps was coupled with the Egyptian and Qatari pressure exerted on Hamas. These may have been cost-benefit considerations in light of the fear of the massive destruction that would be inflicted on the Gaza Strip again by the expected Israeli response. In any case, Hamas damaged the aura it created for itself over the past year among East Jerusalem residents, an aura of an initiating and invigorated organization willing to take risks.
The outrage is also directed at the weakened Palestinian Authority, which continues to remain silent and refrain from reaching out to residents who are involved in altercations with police more frequently than before and a Jewish public seeking to demonstrate a Jewish presence in the east of the city.
The sense of abandonment experienced by East Jerusalem residents on Jerusalem Day raises concerns about the inability of the two Palestinian leaderships to actually defend al-Aqsa, compounded by voices heard from Jewish marchers and speakers "longing for the Temple," as well as anxiety about the possibility that Israel will begin the process of "dividing the mosque.”