Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the holding of the Flag March despite threats from Hamas.
"Two years ago, the Israeli government at the time made a mistake when it folded in the face of Hamas threats and canceled the traditional parade route. Hamas responded to this by firing rockets at the capital. It was a shameful sight."
"Last year, as prime minister, I fixed it. In the face of Hamas's threats, I made a decision that the parade would move along its [regular] route, no matter what and so it was. We broke a record of over 50,000 participants who painted Jerusalem blue and white. I am happy that the current government is continuing in this line," he was quoted as saying.