Palestinian Territories: Palestinian factions plan demonstrations in Jerusalem June 15 to protest Israeli Flag March

Event

Palestinian factions, including the Gaza-based Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) groups, have called for mass demonstrations as part of a so-called “day of rage” in Jerusalem on June 15. The call to protest coincides with the controversial Israeli Flag March scheduled to take place through Jerusalem’s Old City on the same day. Hamas and the PIJ have both warned Israel against holding the march, asserting that the event will reignite violence amid heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The US Embassy in Jerusalem has prohibited US government employees and their family members from entering the Old City due to the march and calls for counter-demonstrations. Hamas has announced that it plans to resume targeting communities in southern Israel with airborne incendiary devices June 15 in response to the Flag March. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting with militants in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas has called on Palestinians in East Jerusalem to mobilize at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and throughout the Old City in an effort to thwart the Israeli Flag March. The PIJ has similarly called on Palestinians to take action, specifically urging protesters to gather at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Damascus Gate, and throughout the Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.

Associated demonstrations will probably materialize in the West Bank. Popular protest sites include public squares, city centers, and government buildings; previous protests have convened at Martyrs' Square in Nablus and Manarah Square in Ramallah. Activists may also gather at flashpoint sites, including near Israeli settlements, military checkpoints, and territorial border areas. Associated demonstrations are possible in the Gaza Strip. Security personnel have previously used live ammunition on multiple occasions during demonstrations near the Gaza border.

Israeli authorities will tighten security measures in Jerusalem as well as throughout Palestinian villages and Israeli settlements in the West Bank June 15. Clashes are likely, especially if protesters are overly disruptive or fail to adhere to the instructions of security personnel. Israeli security forces typically respond aggressively to perceived threats; they have employed riot-control measures and occasionally fired warning shots or live ammunition during similar actions recently, particularly in East Jerusalem and near Israeli settlements and security checkpoints in the West Bank. Localized ground transportation disruptions are likely near all affected sites.

Advice

Avoid East Jerusalem on June 15 due to the potential for violence. Exercise caution and allow extra time for travel throughout the city. Consider deferring nonessential travel to the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the duration of the demonstrations. Minimize exposure to places of worship, security installations, markets, and other crowded locations. Confirm the availability of transport and allow additional time to reach destinations. Heed the advice of authorities, including officers at security checkpoints. Avoid loitering near security checkpoints and main entrances to hotels, restaurants, or government buildings. Seek updated information on security conditions and possible movement restrictions before traveling. Do not attempt to bypass security checkpoints; even an accidental breach of the security cordon near a checkpoint may prompt a response from Israeli security forces.