Phuket Chabad Rosh Hashanah Dinner Canceled Amid Anti-Israel Protests

A planned Rosh Hashanah dinner for hundreds of Israelis at the Chabad center in Phuket, Thailand, was canceled due to security concerns stemming from anti-Israel and anti-Jewish demonstrations. Israeli security officials warned of potential escalation, advising attendees to avoid the area due to the possibility of violent protesters. The cancellation notice sent to registered participants cited the demand of Israeli security forces as the reason for the event's discontinuation, adding a warning that protesters could be violent and dangerous.

Chabad stated that other holiday prayers and meals scheduled to begin the following day were expected to proceed as planned. The protesters had issued a statement threatening escalating actions if the government did not heed their demands, with signs reading "No Jews, Get Out" and "No Israel" seen in recent days.

Originally, approximately 1,000 people were expected to attend Rosh Hashanah events at two locations in Patong. Following local pressure, an agreement was reached with authorities the previous day to consolidate the event to one location, limit attendance to 800, and conclude by 9:00 PM. Police had planned to deploy additional forces to separate the protest area from the Jewish event.

The tension in Phuket is part of a broader wave of protests against Israelis in Thailand. Hundreds demonstrated outside the Israeli embassy in Bangkok the previous day. Protest leaders claim their actions target the behavior of foreign tourists, land purchases, and violations of local law. However, Israeli and Thai officials are attempting to distinguish between addressing specific offenses and general hostility towards Israelis and Jews.