Israel: Lawmakers to visit Temple Mount August 29

Event

Israeli authorities announced on Thursday, August 24, that a ban on Israeli lawmakers visiting the Temple Mount (known to Muslims as the Haram Al-Sharif) in the Old City of Jerusalem was to be lifted. The announcement came ahead of a visit by members of the Israeli Knesset (parliament) planned for Tuesday, August 29. Lawmakers had been banned from visiting the Temple Mount since October 2015 following to a wave of violence targeting Israelis at the site. In response to the announcement, the Palestinian news agency Wafa and social media users called for activists gather at the site on August 29 in protest. Demonstrations with the potential to turn violent are also possible in the days leading up to the visit.

Context

The holy site of Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram Al-Sharif or the "Noble Sanctuary," is one of the most important religious sites in the world. It houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, among other important Islamic sites, as well as the Foundation Stone and the exterior Western Wall, of significant importance in Judaism. Since 1967, Jordan and Israel agreed that an appointed Waqf, or Islamic religious trust, would manage internal matters at Temple Mount, while Israel would maintain control of external security. Tensions have been particularly high since the complex was closed for the first time in 48 years on July 14, after three Arab-Israeli gunmen attacked a group of police officers near the Lions' Gate in Jerusalem's Old City. Protests and related clashes broke out following the closure and continued over 12 days, during which time over 1000 Palestinians were injured and five died. While security measures that were increased by Israeli authorities immediately following the July 14 attack have returned to normal, the situation remains unstable.

Longstanding political and social tensions between Israelis and Palestinians contribute to frequent security incidents of varying severity. At least 260 Palestinians and one Jordanian citizen have been killed since a wave of violent Palestinian street attacks began in 2015. Israel claims at least 177 of those killed were carrying out attacks, while the rest died in clashes and protests. In addition to these deaths, 40 Israelis, two US tourists, and one British student have been killed in Palestinian stabbings, shootings, and car-rammings.

Advice

Individuals in Jerusalem are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence.

More generally due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers 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 Lebanese, Syrian, and Egyptian borders.