Israel: Clashes amid protests in the West Bank December 15

Event

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to gather on Friday, December 15, at various places in Israel and the Palestinian territories to condemn US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Several confrontations between demonstrators and security forces have already been reported at the Qalandiya checkpoint in Ramallah, where several Palestinians were injured by Israeli security forces, as well as in Bethlehem. Further clashes are likely to erupt throughout the day.

Bab Al-Amound - also known as the Damascus Gate, the main entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem from the West Bank - has been closed in response by Israeli authorities.

Context

Recent tensions in Israel and the Palestinian territories have surrounded Trump's December 6 announcement that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians. Two Palestinians have died in incidents of violent unrest during protests following the decision.

Advice

Individuals in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence. A surge in anti-American and anti-Western sentiment is likely in some areas; all travelers, and Westerners in particular, are advised to maintain a low profile (do not discuss sensitive topics, do not stop to take photographs of demonstrations, etc.) and avoid unnecessary movements in the event of unrest.

More generally, due to the underlying terrorist threat, travelers in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip 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.