Hamas and Palestinian factions called on Jerusalemites to rally in the squares of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Old City, on Tuesday, to confront the expected Flag March.
Hamas spokesman in Jerusalem Muhammad Hamada called on Palestinians in the Old City to come out to protest.
“Let next Tuesday be a day of mobilization and a bond towards al-Aqsa Mosque, and a day of anger and defiance of the occupier," the spokesman said in a statement.
Earlier, the national and Islamic factions issued a statement declaring Tuesday a day of rage in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza, in support of Jerusalem and to protect its neighborhoods and al-Aqsa Mosque.
On Friday, the Israeli authorities approved the Flag March in the Old City of Jerusalem and right-wing parties agreed on a route through Christian and Jewish neighborhoods, without passing through the Islamic neighborhood.
Hamas' invitation reinforced the assessments of the Israeli security establishment that the movement would try to respond to the march.
The Israeli security establishment estimated that Hamas will not fire rockets, but there may be a response of launching incendiary balloons from the Gaza Strip and attempts to carry out operations in the West Bank.
The Israeli Kan channel said that according to Israeli police estimates, only a few thousand are expected to participate in the march on Tuesday.
The march’s plan will be presented Monday to the new Israeli Minister of Public Security, Omer Bar-Lev, and if he does not approve it, the decision will be left to the Israeli Security and Political Affairs Cabinet.
Bar-Lev said in an interview that he trusted the Israeli Police Commissioner, Kobi Shabtai, and senior police officers who learned lessons from previous incidents.
“On Monday, there will be an assessment of the situation ahead of the march. If I have any comments, I will bring them up during the discussion.”
