Israelis march in east Jerusalem in test for new government

Hundreds of Israeli ultranationalists paraded through east Jerusalem in a show of force that threatened to spark renewed violence just weeks after a war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip

JERUSALEM -- Hundreds of Israeli ultranationalists paraded through east Jerusalem on Tuesday in a show of force that threatened to spark renewed violence just weeks after a war with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians in Gaza responded by launching incendiary balloons that set at least 10 fires in southern Israel. The march posed a test for Israel's fragile new government as well as the tenuous truce that ended last month's 11-day war between Israel and Hamas. Palestinians consider the march, meant to celebrate Israel's capture of east Jerusalem in 1967, as a provocation. Hamas called on Palestinians to “resist” the parade, a version of which helped ignite last month's 11-day Gaza war. With music blaring, hundreds of Jewish nationalists gathered several hundred meters (yards) away before moving in front of Damascus Gate. Most appeared to be young men, and many held blue-and-white Israeli flags as they danced and sang religious songs. The crowd, while boisterous, appeared to be much smaller than during last month's parade.