Travel Safety Brief | Jerusalem The travel security environment is generally benign, except at times of heightened Israeli- Palestinian or regional tensions, which can fuel incidents such as knife or car-ramming attacks or, more rarely, shootings. Jerusalem has been the most affected city. Most of these attacks target security force personnel (police, border police, Israel Defense Forces), but they can pose incidental risks to bystanders. Other concerns include the risk of petty crime and communal unrest, especially in Jerusalem. The border areas with Egypt, Syria and Lebanon are unstable, with the risk of rocket fire or militant cross-border infiltration. However, the government maintains a robust security infrastructure to mitigate these risks. ADVICE SUMMARY ● Exercise basic security precautions at all times. ● Follow the advice and instructions from the emergency services and civil authorities in the event of rocket fire. Understand the immediate actions to take on hearing air raid warnings, and the location of the nearest air raid shelter. For further information on what to do during a rocket attack, please visit the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command website. ● Avoid all gatherings due to the risk of violence. ● Minimize time spent in the vicinity of likely targets of attacks, such as religious gatherings, public transport, military and government premises and personnel, and poorly secured and densely populated public areas. ● Border crossing opening hours are liable to change during Jewish holidays. Ensure that checkpoints are operational prior to travel and allow additional time for security checks at border crossings during such periods. Further information on land crossing points can be found at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website. ● Remain alert to your surroundings when using public transport; when waiting for transport, stand behind any bollards or cement cubes present and away from individuals with overt displays of religious identity. ● Exercise caution in and around the Old City. Seek the latest security information prior to accessing the site and exercise caution when entering this area through the most high-profile access points such as Herod's, Jaffa, and especially Lions and Damascus gates. On Fridays and on religious holidays, avoid visits to the Old City. ● Travel to locations in East Jerusalem outside of the Old City, Sheikh Jarrah and French Hill neighborhoods should be kept to a minimum. The Jabel Mukaber, Silwan, and Abu Tor neighborhoods, in addition to other locations such as Jewish Revised: January 2020 settlements and areas adjacent to Salah Ed-Din Street should only be accessed after travelers have ensured the situation in the area is calm. ● Exercise caution when transiting through border checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank due to the risk of violence between Israeli security forces and Palestinian protesters. Treat the security forces with patience and respect. ● Carry your passport at all times for identification checks. SAFETY & SECURITY U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level Notre Dame International utilizes the U.S Department of State’s classification system as our primary source in identifying international travel risks. Israel, the West Bank and Gaza remain a Travel Advisory Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution); however, specific areas within Israel like the West Bank (Level 3 - Reconsider Travel) and Gaza (Level 4 - Do Not Travel) have increased risk. Crime Petty crime is the main risk for travelers to Jerusalem. ● Most petty thefts occur in crowded tourist locations. ● Crime rates are generally higher in East Jerusalem and the Old City than elsewhere in the city. Trouble Spots ● Criminals regularly exploit the narrow alleys and crowded tourist and shopping areas of the Old City to pickpocket and bag-snatch. ● Pickpockets have also been known to operate in Mahane Yehuda in central Jerusalem. ● Incidents of armed robbery have been reported on the ramparts of Lions' Gate in the Old City. ● Visitors should avoid Sherover/Haas Promenade areas in the Old City and Independence Park after dark due to the increased risk of crime. ● The Old City should be avoided on Fridays around noon prayer and other religious holidays. ● The Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex, the Western Wall and the Mount of Olives, can also be flashpoints for spontaneous confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis or Palestinians and the Israeli security forces. Page 2 Protests Protests occur frequently, particularly in Jerusalem's Old City. Most recently, bouts of unrest followed US president Donald Trump's December 2017 announcement recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and setting out plans to move the US embassy there. The controversial subject of Israeli settlement construction continues to fuel communal tensions, particularly in East Jerusalem. Disturbances involving Jewish settlers, Palestinian residents and Israeli security force personnel usually erupt in the eastern part of the city, particularly in the predominantly Palestinian neighborhoods of Sheikh Jarrah, Issawiya, Silwan, Shufat and Beit Hanina. Violent protests can take place ahead of and around Nakba Day (a Palestinian event mourning the creation of the state of Israel) on 15 May, or following sensitive developments such as the construction of new settlements in the West Bank. Although clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli security forces are common during any protests, a serious escalation of violence is unlikely due to the Israeli security forces' effective public order capabilities. Known flashpoints are predominately Palestinian areas in East Jerusalem (see map above). In the Old City, the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex and the Western Wall, as well as the Mount of Olives, can also be flashpoints for spontaneous confrontations between Palestinians and Israelis, or Palestinians and the Israeli security forces. Isolated street demonstrations can also break out on Salah Ed-Din Street and Damascus Gate areas in East Jerusalem. The Abu Tor and Silwan neighborhoods experience frequent communal unrest, often after dark. Page 3 Other rallying points in the city include the Knesset (parliament), the prime minister's official residence Beit Aghion, the Supreme Court building near Rothschild Boulevard, and the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood in west Jerusalem. The public sector is also occasionally affected by industrial action. Strikes organized by Histadrut (the general labor federation) can affect government offices and public services, and can also disrupt air travel. Terrorism The frequency and severity of militant attacks in Jerusalem decreased following the construction of a security wall separating the city from the West Bank and the enhancement of Israeli surveillance capabilities since 2004. However, developments perceived to be disadvantageous to, or discriminate against, Palestinians continue to motivate militants to carry out attacks in the city. These have increasingly taken the form of unsophisticated attacks carried out by single individuals, either in the form of stabbings or vehicle-ramming incidents, as opposed to bomb or shooting attacks. Several such security incidents have been reported near the Damascus, Herod's, and Lions' gates to the Old City. The prime targets remain Israeli security forces and individuals with overt displays of religious identity. Other likely targets include public venues and infrastructure, particularly the city's transport system; light railway stations, in particular, have been targeted on several occasions. Jewish religious sites can also be targeted, as demonstrated in a November 2014 attack on a synagogue in West Jerusalem in which four people were killed. Contingency Planning & Preparation Your physical and emotional safety is our #1 priority at the Jerusalem Global Gateway. A healthy environment is essential for students to learn and grow in their explorations of the Holy Land. The staff of the JGG are constantly monitoring the security situation on the ground in order to keep you safe. Although attacks on foreigners are rare in the Israel/Palestine context, and crime rates in Jerusalem and Israel/Palestine are lower or similar to major US cities, we, nonetheless, maintain a risk-averse mentality. In that spirit, we ask you to abide by the following policies. Serious and/or repeated violations of this policy will result in a referral to the Office of Community Standards which can result in disciplinary consequences, including dismissal from the program. Please refer any questions to the JGG Student Life staff. ______________________________________________________________________ This plan applies to all Notre Dame Jerusalem Global Gateway Study Abroad Students during the duration of their time in-country. Persons Involved The point person is Sarah Heiman, the Student Life Program Director (SLPD) for the JGG. She works closely with Allison Wattenbarger, the Student Life Program Coordinator (SLPC), to ensure the safety and security of all students. All Notre Dame undergraduate students associated with the program are included in this plan. Page 4 Mobile phone numbers: ● Sarah Heiman: 052 809 0591 ● Allison Wattenbarger: 052 211 0566 First Aid Kit ● Basic first aid supplies are available at JGG in the SLPC’s office. ● JGG Staff carry a fully-stocked first aid kit on all program excursions. “At All Times” Handbag Each person must carry the following with her or him at all times: ● Current passport with current visa. Additional visa/s