By Crispian Balmer

JERUSALEM (Reuters – A parade of flag-waving Jewish nationalists is planned to pass through Jerusalem’s Old City Muslim Quarter on Sunday. This could spark violence between Israelis, Palestinians.

An annual procession in Jerusalem celebrates Israel’s capture and retake of Jerusalem during the 1967 Middle East War. It draws thousands of cheering, singing participants along its narrow streets of stone.

The march, however, is an obvious provocation for Palestinians and a violation one of the few areas in the city. This area has been increasingly choked by Jewish growth and settlement. It retains a strong Arab flavor.

Hamas (Islamist group ruling the Gaza Strip) fired rockets at Israel during last year’s procession. This triggered an eleven-day conflict that saw hundreds of people die.

The group released a statement on Saturday calling for Palestinians living in Gaza, West Bank, and Jerusalem to join Israel’s Arab minority who are Israeli citizens and Palestinian-born heritage.

However, despite repeated calls from his coalition partners for a reconsideration of the march, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has refused to accept any changes.

He stated on Friday that “the flag parade will continue as usual, according to the route planned, as it’s been for decades,” and added that his office would monitor the situation over the next few hours.

Jerusalem and its sacred sites are at the core of decades of Israeli/Palestinian conflict. They are revered by Muslims and Jews alike.

Israel considers Jerusalem its permanent and unalterable capital. Palestinians, however, want Jerusalem’s eastern part to be their new capital. Hamas is a terrorist organization that the West considers to be part of Israel’s modern day occupation.

Since weeks, tensions are rising within the city.

There were a series of clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in Al-Aqsa in April. This was during Ramadan. Muslims became angry at the rising number of Jewish visitors to Al-Aqsa’s mosque esplanade.

Al-Aqsa, the third holiest place in Islam is called. Jews also consider it the Temple Mount. This is an omen of two old temples.

Sunday’s march will culminate at Al-Aqsa Mosques, the Western Wall.