In Photos: The Global March to Jerusalem

The Global March to Jerusalem is an annual event held in the first week of June to mark the anniversary of the start of the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem following the Six Day War in 1967. This year, at least 23 countries around the world are marking the 47th year of the event, according to organisers.

On Friday, protesters gathered outside Damascus Gate at the entrance to the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem to begin their march.

Several Imams spoke about the city's significance and the need for the world to act in its defence. Palestinians want to make East Jerusalem the capital of the state they aim to establish, but Israel sees the city as its capital, a claim that is not internationally recognised.

Specifically, speakers described ongoing Israeli attacks against al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the holiest sites in Islam, located in the Old City.  The 25-acre al-Aqsa complex houses the Dome of the Rock, where Muslims believe the Prophet Mohammad ascended to heaven.  Next to the Dome of the Rock is the holiest site in Judaism called the Temple Mount.

In recent weeks, closures and attacks on al-Aqsa have intensified. Right-wing Israeli groups have distributed leaflets calling for the mosque to be destroyed and replaced with the ‘Third Jewish Temple’.

The march winded its way through the Old City where many more Palestinians joined the protest before reaching al-Aqsa mosque, where Palestinians prepared for traditional Friday prayers.