Security forces on high alert

Israeli security forces are on high alert on 5 December 2008 in anticipation of more unrest in the West Bank city of Hebron, which has been a flashpoint for violence in recent days/weeks. Security personnel forcibly evacuated hundreds of Jewish settlers deemed by the High Court to be illegally occupying a house in the city that belongs to a Palestinian. The settlers claim that an American Jew bought the house from the Palestinian owner, but the Palestinian man denies the sale took place; the settlers have instigated numerous incidents of violence recently. Most incidents have targeted Palestinians (who greatly outnumber Jews in Hebron) and to a lesser extent Israeli security forces. The Israeli military has declared Hebron a military zone in an effort to contain the violence. Some settlers and right-wing Jews are calling for revenge against the eviction and for further violence. As previously addressed in World Watch®, the violence has so far been concentrated in Hebron, but there are serious concerns that it could spread to other locations in the West Bank and potentially to Israel. Tensions and a deep mistrust between the Muslim and Jewish populations are longstanding in Israel, and the Hebron developments could cause spill-over effects, particularly in Jerusalem, given its proximity to the West Bank and its religiously mixed population. Authorities imposed restrictions against the Muslims' entrance to the Temple Mount compound for Friday prayers on 5 December as a security precaution; small-scale clashes reportedly occurred near the compound, located in the Old City, between Arab youths who tried to enter the Temple Mount and security forces. Additionally, an Israeli media source is reporting that the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv has received a warning from its consulate in Jerusalem that nationals and staff should avoid travel to Jerusalem at this time; however, this warning has not been confirmed. ASI Group warned on 4 December of the potential for violence and/or disruptions in Jerusalem and that travelers should exercise heightened caution if planning to visit, or if already in Jerusalem; in light of the ongoing developments, extra caution is still warranted, and visitors should remain abreast of local developments. Although the security environment in Tel Aviv is unlikely to be directly affected by incidents in Jerusalem, developments could result in travel disruptions along the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road (Highway 1). Travelers and expatriates should also be alert to the possibility of violence by Israeli Arabs in parts of northern Israel and in Haifa, which have experienced such disturbances in the past.