Israel/Palestinian Territories: Police officer kills knife-wielding man in Jerusalem May 13

Event

Israeli officials said that a Jordanian citizen was shot and killed in Jerusalem’s Old City on Saturday, May 13, after attacking a police officer with a knife. The officer was moderately wounded in the attack and a second person received minor cuts to their hands. According to officials, the assailant had entered Israel several days ago.

Context

Tensions are likely to be high in the country as both Israelis and Palestinians prepare to hold commemorations of Monday, May 15. Monday marks the day that Israel gained independence in 1948 following the United Nations (UN) mandate. However, to many Palestinians it is known as Nakba Day ("Day of Catastrophe"), which marks the displacement of millions of Palestinians.

Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity. Israel claims that these incidents are largely the result of the Palestinian Authority (PA) fueling social unrest with calls to protest, whereas Palestinians criticize what they describe as an illegal occupation by the Israeli population. Tensions have been mounting since a December UNSC resolution condemned as illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories; meanwhile, Israel continues to regularly demolish homes owned by Palestinians.

Advice

Individuals in Jerusalem are advised to avoid the area of the incident and to expect increased security measures.

Due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Israel should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).