Security Update Posted by BYU Jerusalem Center

January 14, 2009

Three rockets were fired from Southern Lebanon into the very northern most part of Israel today. A similar incident occurred a week or so ago. In both cases, the Lebanese government quickly issued a statement indicating that those responsible were a fringe Palestinian group that was trying to incite problems in the area and that the Iranian-supported group in Southern Lebanon, Hezbollah, was not involved. In both incidents, Hezbollah made it known that it wasn’t responsible. The Government of Israel also quickly issued a statement that it did not consider these rockets an attack by either the Lebanese government or Hezbollah. In short, the major players along Israel’s northern border – Israel, Lebanon, and Hezbollah – have made an effort to down play the incidents.

Jerusalem remains calm and safe. Students have been restricted from the Old City and other areas in East Jerusalem on a couple of occasions in the last week as a precaution, but the Old City has continued to be filed with tourists even as the conflict in Gaza goes on. There have been no incidents in any of the areas frequented by tourists, although tensions are certainly higher in Jerusalem than they were prior to the Israeli incursion into Gaza. The Center’s field trips are proceeding as scheduled and students are fully engaged in the Center’s academic and co-curricular programs.

Personal Note:
It's hard to know whether or not to be more worried about political unrest or catcalling men on camels.