01 Nov 2017 | 05:33 PM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Territories: Possible protests surrounding anniversary November 2
Protests possible in East Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza Strip on 100th anniversary of Balfour Declaration November 2; anticipate heightened security
Event
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) issued a warning regarding potential protests in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip on Thursday, November 2. Thursday will mark 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, whereby the British government publicly announced support for the creation of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Ottoman Palestine. It is generally regarded as the basis upon which the state of Israel was founded. Many Palestinians view the declaration as the launch of decades of persecution, and demands for an official apology from the UK have increased as the centennial draws nearer. An increased security presence is to be expected, particularly in East Jerusalem. Violent clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity. Over 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.
Advice
Individuals in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to keep abreast of the situation and to avoid any protests due to the risk of violence.
More generally, due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers in Israel and the Palestinian Territories 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 Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.
