PT: Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians result in dozens of injuries in Burqa, April 19 /update 1

Event

Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the West Bank have resulted in dozens of injuries, April 19. Clashes erupted when Palestinians from the city of Burqa organized an anti-settlement rally in response to a march by Israeli settlers from Shavei Shomron to Homesh earlier in the day. Israeli security forces employed tear gas to disperse the Palestinians, who burned tires and hurled rocks.

The march had been organized to demand that Israeli settlers be allowed to return to the destroyed village of Homesh. Homesh and some other settlements in the northern West Bank were demolished and the residents evicted in 2005 as part of the Israeli disengagement from Gaza.

Israeli security forces will likely remain deployed in the area. Disruptions to travel along Route 60, the most likely protest march route, are likely through at least the end of April 19.

Advice

Avoid the gathering as a standard precaution. Prepare for ground travel disruptions in the area April 19. Heed the directives of the local security forces.