In the video: Natalie Suisa was saved from an attack in Istanbul, Turkey/Avi Rokah
The National Security Headquarters, as every year in preparation for the spring holidays, published today (Thursday) the assessment of the threat from terrorist elements and, in doing so, the travel warnings for Israelis abroad. The purpose of the publication is to increase the Israeli public's awareness of terrorist threats in various parts of the world - against the background of the significant increase in the threat , especially in the shadow of the war in Gaza.
A political official, who deals with countering terrorist threats in the world, emphasized that he advised Israelis who go abroad not to highlight their identity. "You can speak Hebrew with each other, but you don't have to laugh at the other family or friends at the other end of the street," he said. As mentioned, the briefing was given in advance of the spring holidays and it is estimated that many Israelis will go on vacation abroad during them. "There will be an increase in the number of flights compared to the last six months, but it will not reach the levels of the previous years in view of the war.
" Jews and Israelis in the world. "At any given moment there are worldwide efforts to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis and Jews. Together with local security forces, Israel's security community carries out countless actions to thwart. From time to time there are publications about setbacks, but what is published is the tip of the iceberg," he said.
The threat map published by the MLA/official website, the headquarters for national security
So what about Eurovision and the Euro?
The political official advised the Israelis who will go to the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden not to reveal their Israeli identity. In a briefing for the political reporters, the official said that "this is a case where it is right to be cautious. The site of the competition itself will probably have very high security, but the envelope could be problematic."
According to him, "Malmo is a city with many hostile areas. We are not saying not to go there, but those who travel should not demonstrate their Zionism there. So you should not walk around with Israeli flags. This could create problems such as street brawls." However, the political official emphasized that at the moment there is no known specific intention of terrorist elements to harm Israelis in Sweden.
The political official noted that the Euro Games in Germany and the Olympics in France, which are expected to be attended by tens of thousands of Israelis, are events in which special caution must be taken. "The main concern is from elements of global jihad, with Israelis and Jews also being targeted."
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"Malmo is a city with hostile areas." Damage caused by an explosion in Sweden last year./Reuters
The main threat trends
At the Leumi Biton headquarters, they released to the public the main trends of the threat - and emphasized that the website of the Israel Defense Forces constantly publishes an updated list of travel warnings for Israelis abroad in all countries of the world - and recommendations for conduct accordingly.
Iran and the Shiite Axis:
Iran is still the main generator of global terrorism - they said in the MAL. In recent years, it has even expanded its activities to harm Israeli citizens and Jews in the world, both directly and through the proxies and helpers it operates.
In recent years, dozens of Iranian attempts to damage Israeli and Jewish targets in the world have been exposed and thwarted. In 2021, a terrorist squad in the service of Iran tried to kill Israeli businessmen in Cyprus, this was preceded by a similar event in Colombia, and so was during 2022 in Turkey and Georgia. Also, in 2023, there were similar events in Greece, Cyprus, alongside the activities of Hezbollah in Latin America.
As mentioned, since Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, the MAL recognizes increased efforts on the part of Iran and its proxies to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets all over the world. At the same time, Iranian terrorist elements continue their attempts to contact Israeli citizens, in Israel and abroad, under the guise of business or impersonating other elements, in order to kidnap or harm them.
Iran is still the main generator of global terrorism/Reuters
Hamas:
In the shadow of the war in Gaza, a significant increase in the motivation and activity of Hamas to carry out terrorist attacks against Jews and Israelis abroad has been detected - we have been updated by Malal. Meanwhile, in December 2023, a wide Hamas infrastructure was exposed in a number of northern European countries, which planned to attack Israeli targets in Sweden and Germany.
Global Jihad:
The various global jihad and radical Islam organizations continue to promote and carry out terrorist attacks and attacks on various sites in the world. These organizations focus most of their activities in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. This, along with other attempts to promote activity in other countries in the world.
Thus, last week, the operatives of the "Islamic State" carried out a mass attack in Moscow during which more than 100 people were murdered and dozens more were injured. A few weeks earlier, the Russian security forces thwarted an attack by the "Islamic State" against a synagogue in Moscow. Also in this trend, there is a significant increase in the motivation to carry out terrorist attacks against Jews and Israelis in the world - since the beginning of the war.
Further to this, in the last few months, the publications of these organizations that call and encourage to harm Jews and Israelis in the world have increased. In the Western countries, the main threat is from individual attackers, who are inspired by the organizations and may carry out attacks against Israelis and Jews - as happened recently in Switzerland - when a Jew was stabbed on March 3rd, all the more so in light of the unprecedented anti-Semitism and incitement against Israel.
Many manifestations of anti-Semitism in Europe. The scene of an attack in London in 2020/Reuters
Antisemitism and extreme right:
The MLA emphasized that the threats of terrorism are not limited only to the trends of radical Islam - in recent months there has been a significant increase in incitement against Israel and Jews on social networks in the media and more. In addition, there has also been a significant increase in manifestations of anti-Semitism and expressions of violence in many countries around the world - including France, Germany, Great Britain, the USA "B, Canada and Australia.
A Jew was murdered in Los Angeles, an Israeli embassy worker was stabbed in China, a Jewish woman was stabbed in France, an Israeli journalist was attacked in Berlin, there were several shooting incidents on Jewish properties in Canada and hundreds of other cases of violence.
Jewish communities are also a major target for the extreme right, and religious and community institutions are a favorite target on holidays and festivals. In recent years, attacks have been carried out against Jewish religious institutions throughout Europe and America, out of anti-Semitic ideological motives.
What about traveling to enemy countries?
According to Israeli law, there is a complete ban on Israelis traveling to enemy countries - Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Iran. The ban also applies to holders of additional citizenship, who use a dual passport. While staying in these countries, the Israeli citizen is exposed to the highest risk of kidnapping and injury to his life.
There is an absolute ban on Israelis flying to enemy countries. Iran/Reuters
Precautions to take
Try to avoid going to crowded places (malls, markets) and places identified as being used by Israeli, Jewish and Western elements.
Maintain increased vigilance in public places (including restaurants, hotels, bars, etc.).
to avoid externalizing Israeli symbols.
Avoid participating in events with many participants that are not secure.
Avoid posting trip details on social networks and posting photos and visit details before the trip and in real time.
Travel warning levels and special highlights
As mentioned, all the travel warnings are reflected to the public on the travel warnings website. A higher warning level reflects an increasing risk of terrorist acts being carried out in the country. According to the MLA, countries that should be particularly noted and that should be avoided at this time are: Turkey, Morocco, Egypt including Sinai and Jordan.
The MLA said: "The public is required to seriously examine the destination of the trip, the degree of necessity in reaching countries with a medium warning level and above - Levels 3 and 4, and in any case take the necessary precautions for each trip.
Also, the travel warnings do not apply to a stay in the country for the purpose of a transit flight, except for transit flights in enemy countries - Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, and countries with a high threat level - Libya, Algeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia. Therefore, when planning a trip abroad, it is recommended to make sure that the chosen flight route does not pass over enemy countries.
More on the same topic:
Travel warnings
National Security Headquarters
Israel
antisemitism
Gaza war
War of Iron Swords
Passover