Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Access to Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) blocked July 27

Event

Israeli security forces reportedly closed access to the Temple Mount (Haram al-Sharif) complex in the Old City of Jerusalem on Friday, July 27, after masked youths aimed fireworks and threw stones at Israeli police near the complex. Several rioters were arrested in the incident and security forces reportedly removed all worshipers from Al-Aqsa Mosque. Initial reporting states that dozens of Palestinians and at least two Israeli soldiers were injured in the confrontation, in which Israeli forces deployed tear gas and sound bombs to disperse the crowds. As of 17:00 (local time) on Friday, Palestinians had gathered in front of the site gates to protest its closure. It is currently unclear when the Temple Mount complex will be reopened. The possibility of further violent confrontations throughout Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the coming days cannot be ruled out.

Context

A spike in tensions and cross-border incidents has been observed in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the wake of US President Donald Trump's December 2017 announcement that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital - a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians - and would move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The new embassy was officially opened on May 14.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation and avoid the Temple Mount complex until the situation stabilizes.

In general, individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to avoid all protests or other public gatherings due to the high risk of violence and to monitor developments to the situation. Due to the underlying terrorist threat, travelers in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Some 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.