Israeli Foreign Ministry Reports Sharp Rise in Anti-Semitic Incidents Against Israelis Abroad

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has identified a troubling surge in anti-Semitic incidents targeting Israelis overseas, with 45 reported cases between July 2025 and July 2026 requiring consular assistance. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years and reflects the changing global environment for Israelis since the outbreak of the recent conflict. The incidents include assaults, verbal abuse, service refusals, and expulsions from hotels and restaurants.

Eli Yifrah, Deputy Director for Consular Affairs, highlighted the unprecedented scale of these reports and confirmed that Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide are providing support and consular care to affected citizens. Overall, the ministry received 3,611 distress calls from Israelis abroad during this period, with many related to the emergency operation "Roaring Lion" (1,825 calls) and others involving missing persons, arrests, medical emergencies, lost travel documents, and family violence.

Countries with the highest number of consular cases included the United Arab Emirates (615), Thailand (347), Greece (206), the United States (202), Italy (181), and Georgia (166). The ministry also handled 292 cases of Israeli detainees or prisoners, with 110 requiring complex, ongoing support. Additionally, over 80,000 travel documents were issued, and more than 2,100 cases of stolen or lost documents were reported, notably in Bangkok, New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

The Foreign Ministry also facilitated the repatriation of 1,612 deceased Israelis, primarily from France and the United States. Yifrah emphasized that the consular network operates 24/7 to assist Israelis worldwide amid rising travel and the complex security situation following the "Sword of Iron" war. He noted that in several countries, Israelis were targeted due to their identity or Israeli symbols, facing harassment, threats, and attacks, with diplomatic missions intervening accordingly.

Unusual distress reports came from countries without formal ties to Israel, including Oman, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and others, underscoring the broad geographic scope of challenges faced by Israelis abroad. The ministry's data underscores the increased demand for consular services and the ongoing commitment to protect Israeli citizens internationally.