Israel marks 59th Jerusalem Day with Old City flag march, nationwide celebrations

This year, the holiday fell on May 14, which is also the anniversary of the Israeli Declaration of Independence.

Israel marked the 59th Jerusalem Day on Thursday with a flag march in the Old City and festivities across the country.

ISRAELI CELEBRATES Jerusalem Day, May 14, 2026. (Sam Halpern)

This day celebrates the reunification of Jerusalem after the Six-Day War in 1967. This year, it also falls on May 14, which is also the anniversary of the Israeli Declaration of Independence.

ISRAELI CELEBRATES Jerusalem Day, May 14, 2026. (Sam Halpern)

Tens of thousands of people flocked to Jerusalem to celebrate the holiday and participate in the annual March of the Flags, in which thousands of people carrying Israeli flags march through the streets of the Old City, including the Muslim Quarter, ending at the Western Wall.

ISRAELI CELEBRATES Jerusalem Day, May 14, 2026. (Sam Halpern)

Ben-Gvir declares sovereignty over the Temple Mount

Before the march, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir climbed the Temple Mount in the Old City, declaring that it was “in our hands” and emphasizing that he had “restored sovereignty to the Temple Mount through determination and deterrence.”

ISRAELI CELEBRATES Jerusalem Day, May 14, 2026. (Sam Halpern)

Later in the afternoon, Israeli police announced they had arrested a suspect who was planning a terrorist attack during Jerusalem Day celebrations.

ISRAELI CELEBRATES Jerusalem Day, May 14, 2026. (Sam Halpern)

There were also several reports of Israeli activists from across the political spectrum clashing in Jerusalem’s Old City ahead of the flag march.

Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.