Israel's National Security Council Warns Citizens Abroad of Terror Threats Ahead of Holidays

Ahead of the High Holy Days, Israel's National Security Council (NSC) has issued a public warning regarding ongoing terror efforts targeting Israelis worldwide. The advisory aims to increase public awareness of threats from terrorist groups in various global locations and to encourage preventative measures.

The NSC emphasized that this is an updated reflection of major trends in global terrorist activity and their impact on Israelis abroad, not new travel advisories. The ongoing "Swords of Iron" war and the conflict with Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups have expanded the scope of risk for Israelis internationally. Increased attempts to carry out attacks by Iran, Hezbollah, Palestinian terror groups, and global jihad organizations, coupled with a worsening anti-Israel narrative, are fueling a sharp rise in the motivation of terrorists to target Israeli and Jewish individuals and institutions.

Iran and its proxies remain the primary global terror instigators against Israelis and Jews. Iran, seeking revenge for recent blows, is actively promoting various operations through its intelligence mechanisms and proxies, focusing on diplomatic missions, senior Israeli officials, security personnel, Jewish community institutions, and even ordinary Israelis. Hezbollah, weakened by war losses and seeking to avenge its senior operatives, also poses a significant potential threat.

Hamas is investing heavily in establishing terror infrastructures in Europe and elsewhere to carry out retaliatory attacks against Jews and Israelis, in addition to its ongoing activities in Gaza and the West Bank. Global jihad organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda continue to issue explicit calls for attacks on Jews, particularly in Africa and Asia, but also express a desire to strike in European capitals and the U.S. The Houthis also call for attacks on Israel and Israelis in the Horn of Africa region.

The NSC noted a significant increase in lone-wolf attacks abroad, with 25 Israelis or Jews killed in terror attacks overseas since the start of the "Swords of Iron" war. These attacks are described as decentralized and unpredictable, stemming from ideological radicalization fueled by escalating online anti-Israel discourse. Such attackers often target "soft" and accessible locations like public events, gathering places, and community or prayer centers.

The advisory highlights specific areas of concern, including countries bordering Iran (Azerbaijan, Turkey, UAE), Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland, Egypt (including Sinai), and transit hubs. It explicitly prohibits travel to Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon due to extreme danger. Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, and Algeria are listed as high-risk or restricted entry zones.

Recommended precautions include concealing Israeli or Jewish identity, avoiding real-time location sharing online, removing any indication of military service from social media, maintaining heightened awareness around Jewish sites, avoiding protests and political discussions with foreigners, carrying local emergency numbers, and contacting local security forces immediately in case of an emergency.