Yerushalayim Flag Dance (Video & Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 06/15/21

Jerusalem, Israel - June 15, 2021 - For close to fifty years, the Yom Yerushalayim Flag Dance - ריקודגלים, Rikud Degalim - has been a tradition appreciated by Israeli religious Zionists and grown in size. This year the march was postponed and held on Tuesday evening, June 15, 2021. The altered route stared at HaNevim Street, went toward Damascus Gate, but did not go in the gate as in the past, but proceeded along the outside of the Old City to Jaffa Gate. 

Security and press outnumbered the participants in multiple locations. The streets were closed and blocked in the areas of the march. While the impression is that it is only young men and boys participate, families, people of all ages, came to Yerushalayim to march. One group of girls was from a school in Petach Tikvah. 

MKs Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit party and Bezalel Smotrich head of the Religious Zionist Party were treated like celebrities at the event. 

Five years ago, after hearing negative reports on the annual parade, BJL walked the entire route thru the Old City, from Damascus Gate to the Kotel. Tonight again, the parade of participants walking with Israeli flags was energetic, sometimes loud, but the thousands participating were peaceful. Groups davened mincha before and maariv at the Kotel after dancing and singing and proudly waving Israeli flags to remember the reunification of Yerushalayim in June of 1967.

The photo essay lets you follow the route, highlighted are the security, and dancing at Damascus Gate, and ending at the Kotel.