Israel: Protests almost certain nationwide through the evening of July 24

Event

Anti-government protests are almost certain to materialize nationwide through the evening of July 24 following the passing of a judicial reform bill. Demonstrations, including reports of clashes with police, have been reported in Jerusalem throughout the day, particularly near the Knesset (parliament), as parliamentarians debated the proposed bill. Labor and trade unions may also announce plans to strike in response to the bill; the country's largest public-sector union, the Histadrut, is reportedly considering launching another nationwide general strike.

Heightened security is likely if protests develop. Clashes between activists and security forces cannot be ruled out, particularly if demonstrators are overly disruptive or ignore police orders to disperse. Police may resort to tear gas and other crowd-control measures to disperse protesters. Protesters have previously attempted to block Highway 2, Ayalon Highway, and Highway 1, the main roads between Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, and have gathered at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) during related protests recently. These sites may be gathering points for future events.

Advice

Avoid all demonstrations due to the potential for violence. Monitor local media for protest activity, as organizers may not announce plans in advance. Keep away from areas where security forces appear to be deploying. Confirm the availability of transport and allow additional time to reach destinations. Plan for increased security and localized transport disruptions near demonstrations. Heed instructions from authorities.