Israel, PT: Heightened tensions likely in West Bank and East Jerusalem through at least late December amid increase in violence

Event

Heightened tensions are likely in the West Bank and East Jerusalem through at least late December amid a recent uptick in Israeli-Palestinian violence. The proximate cause of this most recent bout of violence was a Dec. 16 Palestinian attack on Jewish seminary students near a West Bank settlement that left one settler dead. Jewish settlers subsequently carried out a series of retaliatory attacks on Palestinian villages in the West Bank Dec. 17, damaging homes and vehicles and wounding at least two people. Additionally, Israeli troops killed a Palestinian man who allegedly attempted to target a military checkpoint in a car-ramming attack near Jenin Dec. 21; there were no reported injuries to Israeli forces in the incident.

Further clashes are likely between Palestinians and Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the coming days. Related demonstrations remain possible. A heightened Israeli security presence is likely in areas subject to intercommunal violence and associated demonstrations that may prompt localized transport and business disruptions.

Context

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland asserted Dec. 21 that the security situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem is deteriorating, and that the recent spate of violence could possibly undermine the May 2021 ceasefire reached between Israeli forces and Gaza-based militants. The violence follows a Palestinian stabbing attack that targeted an ultra-Orthodox Jewish man outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City in early December. In late November, a Hamas militant fatally shot one Israeli man and wounded four others in the Old City.

Advice

Exercise caution while operating in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Avoid all demonstrations. Seek updated information on security conditions and possible movement restrictions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem before traveling. Heed the advice of local authorities. Avoid loitering near security checkpoints and main entrances to hotels, restaurants, or government buildings. Do not attempt to bypass security checkpoints.