Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Israeli forces arrest 2700 Palestinians since December 6

Event

A Palestinian report has claimed that as of Wednesday, April 18, Israeli security forces have arrested at least 2700 Palestinians since the US recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6. The report, released by the Palestinian Prisoners Affairs Commission, also claimed that Jerusalem has been particularly affected, witnessing some 570 arrests. Additional Israeli arrests of Palestinians are expected in the coming weeks as the six-week tent city protests continue along the Israel-Gaza border until May 15.

Context

A spike in tensions and cross-border incidents has been observed in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the wake of US President Donald Trump's December 2017 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. In February, American officials announced that the embassy would open a temporary location in Jerusalem by mid-May 2018, ahead of the previously anticipated schedule.

Large-scale Palestinian demonstrations have recently taken place in the Gaza Strip as part of a six-week tent city protest along the Israel-Gaza border. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed and thousands of others wounded in clashes with IDF personnel since the protests began on March 30. Smaller related protests have taken place in the West Bank.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to avoid all protests or other public gatherings due to the high risk of violence and to monitor developments to the situation. 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. Some 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.