Why did The Real Jerusalem Streets start 15 years ago?
Because what I saw walking on the Jerusalem streets seldom matched what the media shared.
Now, there are close to 15,000 photos published on The Real Jerusalem Streets’ old photo essays.
At first, I avoided the annual Flag Parade/March on Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, because of negative stories in the media. Then, year after year, I walked the parade route.
Yes, there was a crowded scene outside Damascus Gate.
There is also a known spot inside Damascus Gate where international media stand ready for a troublemaker’s winning photo and headline story.
Further along the Via Dolorosa route, closer to the exit to the Western Wall Plaza, it narrows to a crush.
So, what was the Yom Yerushalayim march really like this year?
This incredible view started my day on Monday of Yom Yerushalayim 2025. You see the tower of the YMCA, and in the distance is the King David Hotel. Jerusalem, beyond that in the distance, including the Old City, was occupied by Jordan from 1948-1967.
Going into that No Man’s Land on the other side of the hotel meant Jordanian sniper bullets.
Yom Yerushalayim has also been hallmarked as a memorial day to the thousands of Ethiopians who died making the arduous trek from Sudan on their way to Zion. The memorial is in Har Herzl military cemetery, where an official ceremony is held in the morning.
Also, this year, in the morning, the Prime Minister and Jerusalem Mayor announced a plan to restore the Mamilla Pool, though the sign has been up for months.
It does look a bit better after heavy spring rain, as published here in March 2022.
I wondered if the thousands of people on their way to the Kotel knew they had walked by it.
On Yom Yerushalayim, flags line many of the Jerusalem streets.
The walls of the Old City were illuminated with flags for the 58th year of the reunification of Jerusalem.
A giant flag was unfurled as the sky turned dark on Sunday night at the Kotel, Western Wall Plaza.
Smaller flags of Jerusalem and Israel were waved by the crowd of people of all ages.
Thousands filled the Kotel to pray with the special musical service live-streamed on YouTube.
Special visitor US National Security Secretary Kristine Noem made the Western Wall the first stop on her brief trip to Jerusalem. She was accompanied by security and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee. Janet Huckabee, wearing the bright jacket in a sea of black and white, hugged Noem on their way out.
This Jerusalem cat was out and on guard on Sunday night as people filled the Rova, Jewish Quarter.
After multiple morning prayer services, the main event on Yom Yerushalayim begins in the afternoon.
Blue and white is the preferred attire, and this woman agreed to show off her holiday dress.
Politicians appeared briefly on the Jerusalem streets along the parade route.
Not everyone wore blue and white, and for sure, not everyone was a teenage rowdy male.
While security was on high alert, this police officer shared his motorcycle with young admirers.
Thousands and thousands came out on the Jerusalem streets despite the high temperature this year.
With white shirts and T-shirts of all kinds, they marched through in groups from the starting point.
While an occasional politician made his way slowly through the crowd by car.
One smoke bomb, I did not understand, but another opportunity for groups to stop and sing together.
Media reports did not share the young families that participated.
This year, security had marching groups more regulated to reduce crowding.
You could find a bit of everything if you looked for it. Chabad with flags. Third Temple flags, and more.
How many photos did you see of the girls and young women on King George Street?
With flags, singing, and marching in such a crowd of thousands, I had to stop and wait to pass by.
One officer found a new way to make his way through the crowd.
This was the main live music stand this year on King George Street across from the Great Synagogue.
I made my way across the street to the stage to show the size of the crowd.
Despite the weather and high temperatures, people came in large numbers.
The thousands of girls gathered near Bezalel Street seemed to go on and on as they came by.
The thousands of marchers ended at the Kotel as Yom Yerushalayim at nightfall..
However, those peacefully praying, no matter how many more, are not considered newsworthy.
Signs line the Jerusalem streets, not only those celebrating Yom Yerushalayim, but also Jerusalem saying thank you to the reservists’ families during this difficult time of prolonged war.
Even with war, the skyline is changing. Jerusalem building goes up and up, as the roads back up with closures for light rail construction.
This year Yom Yerushalayim.
“Next year in Jerusalem” was in the ancient prayers in Ethiopia and is said until now.
Hope you can see the real Jerusalem streets yourself, soon.
Cheesecakes have been prepared for the holiday of Shavuot.
No downtime on the real Jerusalem streets.
Chag samech – happy holiday to all.
