Israel/Palestinian Territories: Police arrest 51 Palestinian protesters in East Jerusalem Oct. 22-23

Event

Israeli police arrested approximately 51 Palestinians in a raid in the Issawiya neighborhood of East Jerusalem late Sunday, October 22, to early Monday, October 23. Those arrested allegedly participated in recent "riots and terror-related incidents" against Israeli police, throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks at Israeli security forces, per reports from Israeli security forces on Monday.​ A heightened security presence in East Jerusalem, particularly in Issawiya, is expected in the coming days. Though Issawiya has not witnessed significant unrest in recent months, Palestinian protests against the Israeli police raid are possible in the coming days.

Context

​Israeli security forces last raided Issawiya three months ago, following clashes over the installation of metal detectors at a holy site in Jerusalem.

Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity, particularly in East Jerusalem. Nearly 300 Palestinians have been killed since a wave of violent street attacks began in 2015. Israel claims at least 180 of those killed were carrying out attacks, while the rest died in clashes and protests. In addition to these deaths, at least 51 Israelis, as well as American, British, Jordanian, Eritrean, and Sudanese nationals have been killed in Palestinian stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings.

​Israel currently claims Jerusalem to be its undivided capital, while the Palestinian National Authority claims East Jerusalem to be unlawfully occupied by Israel since 1967, per UN Security Council Resolution 242.

Advice

Due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers to Israel 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, some Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Lebanese, Syrian, and Egyptian borders.