Israel/Palestinian Territories: Violent clashes in West Bank and Jerusalem Dec. 20 /update 3

Event

Violent clashes erupted between Israeli security forces and Palestinian demonstrators in the West Bank and in Jerusalem on Wednesday, December 20, leaving at least 81 Palestinian protesters wounded during protests against the recent US announcement on Jerusalem. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, those wounded on Wednesday included three by live ammunition, 23 from rubber bullets, 43 from tear gas, and 12 others who sustained burns or bruising. Among the areas most acutely affected by violent clashes included the Qalandia checkpoint (near Ramallah), several neighborhoods in Hebron, Al-Naqqar neighborhood in Tulkarm, and the Huwwara checkpoint (near Nablus). Additional Palestinian protests, and consequent heightened security measures and traffic disruptions, are expected in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the coming weeks.

Context

Recent tensions in Israel and the Palestinian territories have surrounded President Trump's December 6 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.  

At least four Palestinians have been killed, 430 arrested, and over 3400 others wounded in related protests and clashes since the US announcement on December 6, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Advice

Individuals in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence. A surge in anti-American and anti-Western sentiment is likely in some areas; all travelers, and Westerners in particular, are advised to maintain a low profile (do not discuss sensitive topics, do not stop to take photographs of demonstrations, etc.) and avoid unnecessary movements in the event of unrest.

More generally, 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 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 Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders. ​