Israel should consider 'terror' tag for extremist groups, defence minister says

Benny Gantz calls for action after thousands of nationalists march in Jerusalem

Israeli border police detain a Palestinian man during the clashes in Jerusalem's Old city. Reuters

Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital but Palestinians, who seek East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, consider the annual flag march provocative. Getty

A Palestinian protester flashes the victory sign at Israelis lifting national flags at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. AFP

A tense Jerusalem was braced for Israel's 'flag march' as Palestinian groups threatened retaliation over the annual rally that sparked a war last year. AFP

A Jewish youth uses pepper spray on Palestinians as they clash on the Muslim Quarter on Jerusalem Day in Israel. Getty

Palestinians and Jewish youths clash in Jerusalem's Old City as Israelis mark Jerusalem Day, an Israeli holiday celebrating the capture of the Old City in 1967. AP

Israelis carry national flags as they walk in Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters

Large number of Israeli police forces were on hand in the Old city of Jerusalem, as the threat of violence lingered. EPA

Palestinian protesters carry a woman affected by teargas as chaotic clashes broke out. AFP

A Palestinian protester remains defiant. AFP

Palestinian and Jewish youths clash at Damascus Gate. AP

Israelis wave flags and chant outside Damascus Gate. Reuters

Armed border policeman look to quell the violence. Reuters

A tug of war ensues over a Palestinian flag. Reuters

Last year, the flag parade led to an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza militants. AFP

Israel flags are paraded through Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters

Israeli police remove Palestinians from the stairs near the Damascus Gate leading to Jerusalem's Old City. Reuters

At Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinians wave flags during a protest over the tension in Jerusalem's Al Aqsa Mosque complex. Reuters

Members of Israeli security forces clear people from Damascus Gate as Israelis mark Jerusalem Day. AFP

Members of Israeli youth movements dance and wave flags. AP

An Israeli national flag at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. AFP

Israel should consider placing two right-wing extremist groups accused of violence towards Palestinians and chanting “death to Arabs” on its “terror” list, Defence Minister Benny Gantz said on Monday.

“I believe it is time to examine defining groups like La Familia and Lehava as terror groups, and I know the issue is being presented to security forces,” Mr Gantz said during a faction meeting of his Blue and White party.

Thousands of flag-waving Israelis on Sunday marched through Jerusalem's Old City during a nationalist procession marking Israel's 1967 capture of East Jerusalem.

Some marchers chanted “death to Arabs”, as a number of Palestinians hurled projectiles from the rooftops.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ordered police to show “zero tolerance” towards Jewish extremists who planned to “incite” tensions, singling out La Familia.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid described Lehava and La Familia as a “disgrace” who weren't “worthy of holding the Israeli flag”.

La Familia is a group of fans of Beitar Jerusalem Football Club, notorious for their anti-Arab racism and violence.

Lehava is an extremist right-wing group that fights against fraternisation between Jews and non-Jews that could lead to intermarriage. It is affiliated with the teachings of Rabbi Meir Kahana, whose Kach group is outlawed in Israel.

To designate an organisation as a terror group, one of Israel's security organisations — the Shin Bet internal security agency, police, army or Mossad — must issue a request to the Defence Ministry and receive the consent of the attorney general.

Following the defence minister's approval, the group will receive a three-month temporary designation, during which it can appeal against the decision to the ministry as well as to a special judiciary panel.

If no appeal overturns the decision, the group will then be formally declared a terrorist organisation.

Israeli officials have from time to time previously raised the issue of designating La Familia and Lehava as terror groups, but never gone through with the process.