01 Dec 2017 | 10:57 AM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Territories: Violent incidents in Israel, West Bank Nov. 30
Deadly clashes and attacks reported in southern Israel and West Bank November 30
Event
On Thursday, November 30, an Israeli was stabbed to death by one or multiple attackers in the southern city of Arad. The incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack, according to Israeli authorities.
Also on Thursday, clashes erupted between Jewish settlers and Palestinian villagers in the West Bank. One Palestinian man was shot and killed in clashes that occurred near the village of Qusra, southeast of Nablus. According to the Israeli military, the settlers acted in self-defense after having been attacked with stones. Hours later, clashes, again between Jewish settlers and Palestinian villagers, reportedly broke out in the nearby village of Asira al-Qibliya; at least eight people were injured.
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 and foreign nationals have been killed in Palestinian stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings.
Advice
Individuals in Israel and the West Bank are advised to keep abreast of the situation and to avoid any protests due to the risk of violence.
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.
