“Demonic behaviour:” Picture of Israeli mob attacking Palestinian journalist in Jerusalem sparks anger

A mob of Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian journalist while he was covering the so-called Flag March in occupied East Jerusalem's Old City on Wednesday, marking Israel’s complete occupation of the historic area on June 5, 1967.

Images of Saif Al-Qawasmi being physically heckled and beaten by the mob circulated on social media, drawing the widespread condemnation of the Islamophobic behaviour exhibited by the Israeli settlers.

In other pictures, Israeli journalist Nir Hasson was seen stepping in to protect his colleague, only to be beaten himself by the assailants.

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The attack was on Palestinian journalist Saif Al-Qawasmi while he was working, and when journalist Nir Hasson (wearing a hat and glasses) tried to protect him, he was also beaten
The attack was carried out by students of a religious school in Jerusalem. https://t.co/rUpjTaJVTN pic.twitter.com/1qSmAKWTFw

— Inés El-Hajj (@inespal99) June 5, 2024

Several journalists were harassed by the mob as Israeli police failed to control the miscreants who resorted to violence, and teenagers attacked press members without reason.

Netizens lashed out at the behaviour of settlers with many stating that this incident reflects the fascist tendencies in Israel.

"An image so exaggerated in the dimensions of its cruelty that it looks AI-generated," an 'X' user wrote.

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The settlers gathered in large numbers, chanting “Death to Arabs” and “May your village burn” near Damascus Gate, the main entrance to the Old City for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.

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LOOK AT THESE DEMONS, RUSHING TO BEAT UP A JOURNALIST IN THE BAB AL-AMOUD AREA OF OCCUPIED JERUSALEM pic.twitter.com/pl8K2hirj3

— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) June 5, 2024

Far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir joined the Flag March in occupied Jerusalem and made provocative claims. 

"We send a message to Hamas. Jerusalem is ours. Damascus Gate is ours. The Temple Mount is ours." Ben Gvir said at the march.

According to Israeli police, Five people were arrested for attacking journalists.