Israel: Authorities remove Jerusalem metal detectors July 25 /update 10

Event

The Israeli government dismantled the controversial metal detectors at the entrance to Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) early on Tuesday, July 25. The removal came after Israel's security cabinet met on Monday, July 24, to discuss potential remedies to the crisis. Authorities intend to use advanced "smart check" technologies and an increased security presence to compensate for the lack of metal detectors at the site. While the move is likely to reduce tensions, further protests and violence are still possible in the coming days.

Context

Tensions are running high following one of the most serious incidents in Jerusalem in recent years. Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) was shut down for the first time in 48 years on July 14, after three Arab-Israeli gunmen attacked a group of police officers near the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem's Old City, killing two; the attackers were shot and killed at the scene. The site was reopened the following day after increased security measures were implemented by Israeli authorities. On July 19, hundreds of Palestinians clashed with Israeli police near the holy site in Jerusalem after the politcal party Fatah called for a "day of rage." On Friday, July 21, clashes with security forces resulted in the deaths of three Palestinians, and wounded many others. Three Israelis were also stabbed to death hours later in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank by a Palestinian national who had evaded checkpoints.

Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity. At least 260 Palestinians and one Jordanian citizen have been killed since a wave of violent Palestinian street attacks began in 2015. Israel claims at least 177 of those killed were carrying out attacks, while the rest died in clashes and protests. In addition to these deaths, 40 Israelis, two US tourists, and one British student have been killed in Palestinian stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings.

Advice

Individuals in Jerusalem are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence.

More generally due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and to remain vigilant when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in 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, etc.). As a reminder, several Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Lebanese, Syrian, and Egyptian borders.