The Visuals of Occupation: Photographing Jerusalem Day Marches in Israel

The annual Jerusalem Day marches in Israel have become a flashpoint for tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. These events originated in 1967, when Israeli forces captured East Jerusalem during the Six-Day War. Controversy has long surrounded them, with critics accusing participants of desecrating Muslim holy sites and provoking violence.

The history of these marches is complex. While some view them as a celebration of Israel’s reunification under its own government, others see them as an occupation of Palestinian land. The presence of large groups of Israelis, many of whom are Ultra-Orthodox Jews, walking through East Jerusalem – where approximately 40% of the population is Palestinian – adds to the tension.

This year’s events were no exception. On May 24th, thousands of participants in the annual march converged on Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem, a site considered sacred by Muslims and a focal point for protests against Israeli rule. The route taken by the marchers has changed over time but now winds its way through the Old City’s Muslim Quarter, past the iconic Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

As is often the case with these events, the situation quickly turned volatile. Palestinians threw stones at the marchers, who responded by throwing rocks back and deploying riot police. The Israeli government claimed that Hamas was behind the clashes, but eyewitness accounts from Palestinian residents paint a different picture.

For those living in East Jerusalem, such events are not just another incident of violence – they’re an integral part of daily life, a constant reminder of the occupying force’s presence and power. Many Palestinians report feeling trapped between Israeli security checkpoints and an atmosphere of siege, which can be both physically and psychologically suffocating.

Not all Palestinians oppose these marches; some have expressed support for them as a way to assert Israeli control over Jerusalem. However, the vast majority view the annual events with suspicion and anger. This year saw widespread arrests among Palestinian youth, many of whom were accused of inciting violence against the marchers.

International reaction to the 2023 Jerusalem Day march has been largely condemnatory. The United States government released a statement expressing “concern” over the violence and emphasizing the need for restraint from all parties involved. Other countries – including European nations like Germany, France, and the UK – have echoed similar sentiments.

Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have criticized Israel’s handling of the event, pointing out instances of excessive force against Palestinian protesters and the long-term impact on local communities. The Israeli government has countered these criticisms by asserting its right to self-defense in a turbulent region.

Photographers covering these events face unique challenges, including restricted access areas and the risk of injury or imprisonment while documenting clashes between police and protesters. The ethics of representation also come into play – when is it acceptable to capture images that show conflict between civilians and soldiers?

Social media plays a significant role in spreading information about such events, often via eyewitness accounts on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These reports can be crucial for public awareness but also pernicious sources of misinformation, further polarizing the debate around Jerusalem Day marches.

The images captured during these events exist in multiple frames at once: as visual documentation, propaganda tool, record of history, or even catalyst for future conflict. What cannot be disputed is that the image of occupation in Jerusalem will continue to be a topic of debate and discussion for years to come.