Security Council: Israelis, Jews face significant terror threat abroad

The Israel-Hamas war has led to an increase in Hamas activity against Jews and Israelis abroad, and in December 2023, a large terror infrastructure belonging to Hamas was exposed in Europe.

Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) published Thursday a review of the threat to Israelis from terror abroad, ahead of an anticipated increase in travel for the spring holidays.

Dozens of threats against Israeli targets have been thwarted in the past months, and the threat to Israelis abroad is incredibly high, said the NSC. There has been a continuous trend of increased threats to Israelis abroad in the past years, which has gotten worse since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, they said, adding that the Iranian threat is prominent and has increased.

There are several events abroad expected to draw Israeli crowds, including the Eurovision Song Contest and the Olympics, an Israeli official said, adding that Israelis attending these events should proceed with caution, especially in displaying Israeli signs abroad.

Iran is still the central, worldwide terror actor and, in past years, has expanded its activity against Israeli citizens and Jews around the world, both directly and through proxies, they reported. Since the Israel-Hamas War, these efforts have increased, according to the NSC. Iranian terror bodies continue to attempt to contact Israelis abroad and in Israel under the guise of business or in disguise in an attempt to harm or kidnap them, the NSC reported.

The Israel-Hamas war has also led to a significant increase in Hamas activity against Jews and Israelis abroad, and in December 2023, a large terror infrastructure belonging to Hamas was exposed in a number of European countries, according to the NSC.

National Security Council issues travel warnings to Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, Egypt ahead of Passover

Turkey, Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt are destinations that “should be avoided at the current time,” an Israeli official says as Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) issues travel warnings to four countries with which Israel has diplomatic ties.

The warning for Egypt includes the Sinai peninsula, a popular holiday destination for Israelis traveling over Passover.

The official says Israel is not considering closing the crossing into Egypt, but will do so in the case of a specific threat.

The official has also warned Israelis traveling to Sweden in May for the Eurovision 2024 song contest to make efforts to conceal their identities.

The NSC also published recommendations for Israelis to make themselves safer during travel abroad: They recommended that travelers avoid crowded areas such as malls and markets, as well as areas that are recognized as being Jewish or Western. They recommended staying alert in public places including restaurants, hotels and bars.

They recommended avoiding showing signs of Israeli nationality in public, and participating in mass events that do not have security. They recommended avoiding publishing details of travel on social networks, including avoiding posting photos or details from trips in real time.

According to the travel warnings, there are growing attempts during the Gaza war by global jihadist organizations to inspire lone attackers to target Jews and Israelis. The primary threats, says the NSC warning, is Iran and its proxies.

Jewish communities in Europe and North America “are also a major target” for the extreme right, “with religious and community institutions being a preferred target on holidays and festivals,” the NSC says in the announcement today.

The “potential for terrorist threats against Israelis and Jews more than five months after the start of the war is extremely high,” it adds.

Dozens of such terror attempts to target Israelis and Jews have been foiled around the world in recent years, says the NSC.

“What has been published is just the tip of the iceberg,” explains the official, referring to recent intercepted plots to kill Israelis in Cyprus, Greek and Turkey.

Hamas is also trying to target Israelis and Jews abroad during the war, according to the NSC warnings.