07
Dec 2017
16:01 UTC
Middle East & North Africa SITUATION UPDATE: Unrest recorded in Jerusalem, West Bank during afternoon hours of December 7; demonstrations recorded across region
Executive Summary:
• Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians were recorded at Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate during the afternoon hours of December 7, as well as in other major cities across the West Bank.
• Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for itinerary and contingency support plans.
Please be advised:
Across the country, the following incidents have been reported:
East Jerusalem
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Damascus Gate, East Jerusalem | Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians |
West Bank
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | West Bank | IDF reinforces troops in a number of battalions across the West Bank and raises the threat level in the area. |
| December 7 | Hebron | Protest to denounce US President Donald Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem |
| December 7 | Bethlehem | Hundreds of Palestinians protest against Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians, security forces threw tear gas and fired rubber bullets |
| December 7 | Jericho | Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians at entrance to the city |
| December 7 | Rachel’s Tomb, north of Bethlehem | Explosive devices thrown at Rachel’s Tomb |
| December 7 | Jenin | Protest to denounce Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem |
| December 7 | Ramallah | Protest to denounce Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; rock, Molotov cocktail throwing at Israeli vehicles |
| December 7 | Nablus | Hundreds of Palestinians march towards Hawara checkpoint, south of the city |
Gaza Strip
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Khan Younis, Rafah | Three Palestinians injured during clashes with security forces; Fire set to tires |
Jordan
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | US Embassy, Amman | Ongoing demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Amman to protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) Headquarters, Amman | Ongoing demonstration in front of the UNRWA Headquarters in Amman to protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | University of Jordan, Amman | Hundreds demonstrate at the University of Jordan in Amman to protest against decision |
Tunisia
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Sfax city | Hundreds of demonstrators protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | Sidi Bouzid city | Dozens protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | Gafsa | Dozens protest against Trump’s decision |
Turkey
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | US Embassy, Ankara | Ongoing demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Ankara to protest against US President Donald Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. |
Jihadist Militancy
| Date | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) releases statement denouncing US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Furthermore, AQAP “accuses muslim countries of betraying Palestine”, and calls for “muslim unity.” |
| December 7 | Al-Shabaab releases statement denouncing “US decision to relocate the American embassy” and “recognize it officially as the capital for the Jews.” Furthermore, al-Shabaab urges “all Muslims to take up weapons and defend al-Aqsa”. |
Recommendations:
- On December 7 and over the coming days, it is advised to avoid nonessential travel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and particularly to the vicinity of the aforementioned locales, given the expected unrest due to the US President’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
- We advise against all travel to the Gaza Strip at this time due to continuous border crossing closures and the threat of militant activity.
- If travel is essential, prior to entering Palestinian-controlled areas from Jerusalem-area checkpoints, confirm that crossings remain open and no unrest is taking place. Crossings near the cities of Jenin, Qalqilya, and Tul Karem remain less prone to violence.
- In addition, maintain heightened vigilance at the aforementioned locales in Jordan, Kuwait, Tunisia, and Turkey given the potential for unrest.
- It is further advised for US citizens to keep a low profile given the anticipated increase in anti-US sentiment as a result of President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. As a general precaution, maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of US and Israeli diplomatic missions.
- Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for itinerary and contingency support plans.
AFFECTED AREA
Region-wide
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Executive Summary:
• Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians were recorded at Jerusalem’s Damascus Gate during the afternoon hours of December 7, as well as in other major cities across the West Bank.
• Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for itinerary and contingency support plans.
Please be advised:
Across the country, the following incidents have been reported:
East Jerusalem
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Damascus Gate, East Jerusalem | Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians |
West Bank
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | West Bank | IDF reinforces troops in a number of battalions across the West Bank and raises the threat level in the area. |
| December 7 | Hebron | Protest to denounce US President Donald Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem |
| December 7 | Bethlehem | Hundreds of Palestinians protest against Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians, security forces threw tear gas and fired rubber bullets |
| December 7 | Jericho | Scuffles between security forces and Palestinians at entrance to the city |
| December 7 | Rachel’s Tomb, north of Bethlehem | Explosive devices thrown at Rachel’s Tomb |
| December 7 | Jenin | Protest to denounce Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem |
| December 7 | Ramallah | Protest to denounce Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; rock, Molotov cocktail throwing at Israeli vehicles |
| December 7 | Nablus | Hundreds of Palestinians march towards Hawara checkpoint, south of the city |
Gaza Strip
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Khan Younis, Rafah | Three Palestinians injured during clashes with security forces; Fire set to tires |
Jordan
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | US Embassy, Amman | Ongoing demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Amman to protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) Headquarters, Amman | Ongoing demonstration in front of the UNRWA Headquarters in Amman to protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | University of Jordan, Amman | Hundreds demonstrate at the University of Jordan in Amman to protest against decision |
Tunisia
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Sfax city | Hundreds of demonstrators protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | Sidi Bouzid city | Dozens protest against Trump’s decision |
| December 7 | Gafsa | Dozens protest against Trump’s decision |
Turkey
| Date | District/City | Brief Description |
| December 7 | US Embassy, Ankara | Ongoing demonstration in front of the US Embassy in Ankara to protest against US President Donald Trump’s decision to move US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. |
Jihadist Militancy
| Date | Brief Description |
| December 7 | Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) releases statement denouncing US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Furthermore, AQAP “accuses muslim countries of betraying Palestine”, and calls for “muslim unity.” |
| December 7 | Al-Shabaab releases statement denouncing “US decision to relocate the American embassy” and “recognize it officially as the capital for the Jews.” Furthermore, al-Shabaab urges “all Muslims to take up weapons and defend al-Aqsa”. |
Recommendations:
- On December 7 and over the coming days, it is advised to avoid nonessential travel to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and particularly to the vicinity of the aforementioned locales, given the expected unrest due to the US President’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
- We advise against all travel to the Gaza Strip at this time due to continuous border crossing closures and the threat of militant activity.
- If travel is essential, prior to entering Palestinian-controlled areas from Jerusalem-area checkpoints, confirm that crossings remain open and no unrest is taking place. Crossings near the cities of Jenin, Qalqilya, and Tul Karem remain less prone to violence.
- In addition, maintain heightened vigilance at the aforementioned locales in Jordan, Kuwait, Tunisia, and Turkey given the potential for unrest.
- It is further advised for US citizens to keep a low profile given the anticipated increase in anti-US sentiment as a result of President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. As a general precaution, maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of US and Israeli diplomatic missions.
- Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for itinerary and contingency support plans.
AFFECTED AREA
Region-wide
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
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PoliticsSyria SITUATION UPDATE: HTS-led transition government scores successes in governance, creation of unified military structure; to facilitate consolidation of power
-
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-
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