Marchers begin to move toward alternate Old City gate after route stymied

Organizers of the Jerusalem flag march are calling on activists at Tzahal Square to not fight with police, though some have continued to scuffle with officers as they try to break through a line of gates set up to block their way.

MK Itamar Ben Gvir, who had vowed to reach Damascus Gate, says he is done trying.

At the Damascus Gate, police chase a small group of nationalists who managed to reach the area, as hundreds of Palestinians gathered there to yell and look on.

מתיחות בשער שכם אחרי שחלק מהצועדים הצליחו להגיע למקום, למרות חסימת המשטרה. כוחות משטרה רודפים אחריהם. pic.twitter.com/idio8ETJZN

— Suleiman Maswadeh סולימאן מסוודה (@SuleimanMas1) April 20, 2022

Other marchers are beginning to move toward the Jaffa Gate, where police have suggested they go, though it is unclear if they will abide police orders to march through the Jewish Quarter to the Western Wall and not the more direct route through the Arab Souk, which skirts the Christian and Muslim quarters.

The march is coming about an hour before the iftar break fast meal, when the Old City is packed with Muslim worshippers for Ramadan.