Israel/Palestinian Territories: Protests planned in Jerusalem, West Bank Dec. 6 /update 1

Event

Widespread protests are expected in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, December 6, amid speculation that the US will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that the US Embassy will move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. US President Donald Trump is expected to announce a decision on the matter at 12:00 (local time) in Washington, DC on Wednesday, November 6. The US Department of State has issued a ban on employee travel to East Jerusalem and the West Bank due to heightened tensions and potential security concerns, and has advised all US citizens to avoid crowded areas or areas with an increased military presence.

Hamas has reportedly called for a new intifada ("uprising") if the US moves its embassy to Jerusalem or recognizes the city as the capital of Israel. Political violence and consequent transportation disruptions are possible in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip in the coming days in response to the US decision.

Context

On Tuesday, December 5, President Trump reportedly communicated to regional leaders that he intends to officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a departure from the previous US position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians; the US Embassy is currently located in Tel Aviv. World leaders have strongly advised the US administration against the move, claiming it would render impossible the establishment of a Palestinian state and would inflame tensions across the Muslim world.

The US Congress passed a law in 1995 stipulating that the US Embassy in Israel be moved to Jerusalem by May 1999; US Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama all issued waivers every six months to delay the move throughout their respective tenures.

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.

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.