Israel/Palestinian Territories: Palestinian killed in clashes June 6

Event

A young Palestinian was killed in the early morning of Tuesday, June 6, by security forces in Israel’s Kufr Qassem. Clashes broke out after a local Palestinian resident was arrested, following which Palestinians gathered outside the police station where he was being detained and attempted to break in. After a security guard shot and killed the 21-year old Palestinian, protesters torched the police station and set fire to three police cars. Tear gas and rubber bullets were used to disperse the crowd.

Further protests are likely in Kufr Qassem and other areas in Israel and the Palestinian territories in the coming hours and days.

Context

Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity, with an increased risk surrounding holidays and important dates. 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 Israeli settlements in the Occupied Territories as illegal; meanwhile, Israel continues to regularly demolish homes owned by Palestinians.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories should avoid all forms of demonstrations due to the risk of violence.

On a related note, 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 (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.).