15
Jun 2025
11:51 UTC
Europe Alert: Several countries bolster security near Israeli, Jewish institutions citing Iranian threat as of June 15; similar measures expected regionwide
Current Situation
- According to June 15 reports, several countries have bolstered security measures near Israeli and Jewish institutions, citing security concerns following Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory strikes.
- In France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau asked prefects to increase vigilance surrounding Jewish institutions nationwide on June 13. This includes synagogues and places of worship, schools, public and institutional establishments, and high footfall events, including cultural or religious gatherings. Moreover, enhanced security measures, including enhanced police presence, have also been mobilized near Israeli and US institutions.
- Additionally, on June 13, President Emmanuel Macron ordered a “reinforcement” of the Operation Sentinelle system, the national military counterterrorism unit to respond to any “potential threats”.
Source: Le Monde
- In France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau asked prefects to increase vigilance surrounding Jewish institutions nationwide on June 13. This includes synagogues and places of worship, schools, public and institutional establishments, and high footfall events, including cultural or religious gatherings. Moreover, enhanced security measures, including enhanced police presence, have also been mobilized near Israeli and US institutions.
- Additionally, on June 13, President Emmanuel Macron ordered a “reinforcement” of the Operation Sentinelle system, the national military counterterrorism unit to respond to any “potential threats”.
Source: Le Monde
- In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced increased protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions on June 14. Moreover, the respective interior ministers of the federal states of Brandenburg, Saarland, Bavaria, and Hamburg, among others, confirmed that the police presence at Jewish institutions in these states has been strengthened. Security measures include increased patrols near synagogues and Jewish community centers.
Source: Judische Allgemeine
- In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced increased protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions on June 14. Moreover, the respective interior ministers of the federal states of Brandenburg, Saarland, Bavaria, and Hamburg, among others, confirmed that the police presence at Jewish institutions in these states has been strengthened. Security measures include increased patrols near synagogues and Jewish community centers.
Source: Judische Allgemeine
- In Greece, the Hellenic Police has implemented enhanced security measures at 20 locations, including synagogues, embassies, residences, and offices of companies related to Israeli interests, and Jewish monuments, citing the risk that these locations may be targets of a potential attack.
- Officials have stated that a potential attack may target Israeli diplomatic missions, Israeli or Middle Eastern individuals residing in Greece, or shops and hotels owned by Israeli nationals.
Source: Makeleio
- In Greece, the Hellenic Police has implemented enhanced security measures at 20 locations, including synagogues, embassies, residences, and offices of companies related to Israeli interests, and Jewish monuments, citing the risk that these locations may be targets of a potential attack.
- Officials have stated that a potential attack may target Israeli diplomatic missions, Israeli or Middle Eastern individuals residing in Greece, or shops and hotels owned by Israeli nationals.
Source: Makeleio
- In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, promised “maximum protection” and “maximum attention” for all Jewish institutions nationwide as a preventative measure on June 13.
- In Rome, authorities have strengthened security around the Jewish Ghetto area and other Jewish locations. This includes the Great Synagogue, Jewish schools, the Portico of Octavia, and Israeli diplomatic missions in Rome and Vatican City. These, as well as other symbols of the Roman Jewish community, have been placed under “intensified surveillance” by police and Carabinieri. Events and demonstrations related to the Jewish community have also been assigned protective details.
Source: ADN 24
- In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, promised “maximum protection” and “maximum attention” for all Jewish institutions nationwide as a preventative measure on June 13.
- In Rome, authorities have strengthened security around the Jewish Ghetto area and other Jewish locations. This includes the Great Synagogue, Jewish schools, the Portico of Octavia, and Israeli diplomatic missions in Rome and Vatican City. These, as well as other symbols of the Roman Jewish community, have been placed under “intensified surveillance” by police and Carabinieri. Events and demonstrations related to the Jewish community have also been assigned protective details.
Source: ADN 24
- In Milan, local authorities have ordered increased surveillance and patrols around several sites considered sensitive. These include Israeli and Iranian diplomatic and consular offices, Jewish and Muslim places of worship, and cultural and recreational spaces. Moreover, authorities noted enhanced security around the city’s infrastructure, which they describe as potential “strategic objectives” in the event of a violent escalation. Heightened security measures have been implemented near bridges, railway junctions, energy infrastructure, and other critical facilities.
Source: Gaeta
- In Milan, local authorities have ordered increased surveillance and patrols around several sites considered sensitive. These include Israeli and Iranian diplomatic and consular offices, Jewish and Muslim places of worship, and cultural and recreational spaces. Moreover, authorities noted enhanced security around the city’s infrastructure, which they describe as potential “strategic objectives” in the event of a violent escalation. Heightened security measures have been implemented near bridges, railway junctions, energy infrastructure, and other critical facilities.
Source: Gaeta
- Additionally, according to statements by Israeli officials, all Israeli diplomatic missions, including those in Europe, are closed to the public as of writing. Consular services have been suspended indefinitely.
- Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) released an advisory on June 13 urging Israelis abroad to take precautionary measures, citing the risk of Iran-backed groups carrying out attacks on Jewish or Israeli targets. The NSC advised that individuals abstain from posting details about travel plans or location on social media, avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public, and avoid large gatherings associated with Judaism or Israel. Additionally, the NSC advised Israeli nationals abroad to register their address and location with Israeli officials in case of emergency. Full details are available here.
- Moreover, Jewish community services in multiple countries, including Sweden and the UK, have issued similar unofficial warnings.
Source: Jerusalem Post
- Additionally, according to statements by Israeli officials, all Israeli diplomatic missions, including those in Europe, are closed to the public as of writing. Consular services have been suspended indefinitely.
- Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) released an advisory on June 13 urging Israelis abroad to take precautionary measures, citing the risk of Iran-backed groups carrying out attacks on Jewish or Israeli targets. The NSC advised that individuals abstain from posting details about travel plans or location on social media, avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public, and avoid large gatherings associated with Judaism or Israel. Additionally, the NSC advised Israeli nationals abroad to register their address and location with Israeli officials in case of emergency. Full details are available here.
- Moreover, Jewish community services in multiple countries, including Sweden and the UK, have issued similar unofficial warnings.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Assessments & Forecast
- The implementation of security measures for Jewish and Israeli institutions in western Europe was anticipated, as it aligns with similar steps taken in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and Iran’s aerial attacks on Israel on April 13, 2024.
- While officials in the aforementioned countries have largely characterized the measures as preventive, rather than implemented in response to a concrete or imminent threat, heightened security postures also reiterate the potential for escalating anti-Semitic incidents, including attacks, in Europe amid escalation in the Middle East. Indeed, previous instances of escalation between Israel and Iran or Iranian proxies and allies, including Hezbollah and Hamas, have seen corresponding increases in anti-Semitic attacks regionwide, including instances of vandalism and arson of Israeli and Jewish institutions, as well as physical assaults of Jewish and Israeli individuals.
- Moreover, in light of the NSC warning, these measures underscore the ongoing threat posed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to retaliate against Israel via attacks abroad, with Europe becoming an increasingly active theater for Iran-backed activities since October 2023. Notable incidents include the Iran-backed attack plot targeting the Israeli Embassy in London, UK, on May 3, as well as the October 2024 shooting outside the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, and explosions of two hand grenades near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Iranian involvement suspected in both.
- Iran’s increasing use of proxy criminal groups to plan and carry out attacks across Europe further elevates concerns over plots targeting Jewish and/or Israeli targets. Indeed, in May 2024, Sakerhetspolisen, the Swedish intelligence services, confirmed that Iran recruited the Swedish Foxtrot and Rumba organized crime groups to conduct attacks on Israeli targets in the Nordics. Thereafter, in May 2025, Denmark’s intelligence services reported that criminal proxies had procured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target Israeli interests on behalf of Hamas. The use of such criminals offers the organizers plausible deniability in the attacks, and other benefits, as such criminals have higher local knowledge, contacts with other transnational criminal networks, and access to weapons that can facilitate attack planning.
- FORECAST: As such, a broader threat of Iran-backed activities, including attack plots, is also expected in other countries in western Europe, with plots backed by Tehran foiled in Greece and Cyprus in recent years. Israeli and Jewish individuals, Israeli diplomatic missions, Jewish community centers, schools, synagogues, and kosher restaurants are likely to remain primary targets in the immediate and near term.
- FORECAST: With that, authorities are liable to strengthen security in other countries in Europe to detect any potential threats, including through transnational Europe-level coordination and cooperation with Israeli intelligence. Security measures are likely to be announced in additional cities in western Europe, particularly those with large Jewish, Israeli, or Iranian communities. Security measures are likely to include heightened police or military presence near Jewish establishments or Israeli diplomatic missions, access control including bollards or metal detectors at community events, and heightened online surveillance to detect potential threats.
- FORECAST: Moreover, given Iran’s threats to target US, UK, and French military assets in the Middle East, assets and institutions related to these countries may also be at elevated risk of retaliatory attacks in Europe. Accordingly, security measures are expected to be bolstered around embassies, consulates, military facilities, and other sites associated with these countries.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Europe on June 15 and in the coming weeks are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of Jewish and Israeli institutions and public gatherings due to the increased threat of attacks following the escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran.
- Travel to Europe may continue as per government guidelines while remaining cognizant of authorities’ updates regarding national and local terrorism threat levels.
- If alerted to suspicious activity, inform authorities immediately.
- If a potential stabbing, shooting, or similar violent incident manifests, it is advised to leave the area immediately, if possible, or take shelter at a secure location.
- Consider keeping a low profile and limiting the wearing or presenting of overt signs or symbols associated with Judaism and/or Israel. Those that wear the traditional Jewish head covering (kippah), are advised to consider wearing an additional head covering, such as a baseball cap.
- Public, private, and third-sector organizations are advised to increase awareness of threats on social media using threat monitoring services. Increased awareness of an organization’s political footprint and perceptions from online fringe groups can help uncover potential violent actors and plots before they occur.
- For any questions and risk assessments, please contact [email protected].
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Europe
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- According to June 15 reports, several countries have bolstered security measures near Israeli and Jewish institutions, citing security concerns following Israel’s June 13 attack on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliatory strikes.
- In France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau asked prefects to increase vigilance surrounding Jewish institutions nationwide on June 13. This includes synagogues and places of worship, schools, public and institutional establishments, and high footfall events, including cultural or religious gatherings. Moreover, enhanced security measures, including enhanced police presence, have also been mobilized near Israeli and US institutions.
- Additionally, on June 13, President Emmanuel Macron ordered a “reinforcement” of the Operation Sentinelle system, the national military counterterrorism unit to respond to any “potential threats”.
Source: Le Monde
- In France, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau asked prefects to increase vigilance surrounding Jewish institutions nationwide on June 13. This includes synagogues and places of worship, schools, public and institutional establishments, and high footfall events, including cultural or religious gatherings. Moreover, enhanced security measures, including enhanced police presence, have also been mobilized near Israeli and US institutions.
- Additionally, on June 13, President Emmanuel Macron ordered a “reinforcement” of the Operation Sentinelle system, the national military counterterrorism unit to respond to any “potential threats”.
Source: Le Monde
- In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced increased protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions on June 14. Moreover, the respective interior ministers of the federal states of Brandenburg, Saarland, Bavaria, and Hamburg, among others, confirmed that the police presence at Jewish institutions in these states has been strengthened. Security measures include increased patrols near synagogues and Jewish community centers.
Source: Judische Allgemeine
- In Germany, Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced increased protection of Israeli and Jewish institutions on June 14. Moreover, the respective interior ministers of the federal states of Brandenburg, Saarland, Bavaria, and Hamburg, among others, confirmed that the police presence at Jewish institutions in these states has been strengthened. Security measures include increased patrols near synagogues and Jewish community centers.
Source: Judische Allgemeine
- In Greece, the Hellenic Police has implemented enhanced security measures at 20 locations, including synagogues, embassies, residences, and offices of companies related to Israeli interests, and Jewish monuments, citing the risk that these locations may be targets of a potential attack.
- Officials have stated that a potential attack may target Israeli diplomatic missions, Israeli or Middle Eastern individuals residing in Greece, or shops and hotels owned by Israeli nationals.
Source: Makeleio
- In Greece, the Hellenic Police has implemented enhanced security measures at 20 locations, including synagogues, embassies, residences, and offices of companies related to Israeli interests, and Jewish monuments, citing the risk that these locations may be targets of a potential attack.
- Officials have stated that a potential attack may target Israeli diplomatic missions, Israeli or Middle Eastern individuals residing in Greece, or shops and hotels owned by Israeli nationals.
Source: Makeleio
- In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, promised “maximum protection” and “maximum attention” for all Jewish institutions nationwide as a preventative measure on June 13.
- In Rome, authorities have strengthened security around the Jewish Ghetto area and other Jewish locations. This includes the Great Synagogue, Jewish schools, the Portico of Octavia, and Israeli diplomatic missions in Rome and Vatican City. These, as well as other symbols of the Roman Jewish community, have been placed under “intensified surveillance” by police and Carabinieri. Events and demonstrations related to the Jewish community have also been assigned protective details.
Source: ADN 24
- In Italy, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, promised “maximum protection” and “maximum attention” for all Jewish institutions nationwide as a preventative measure on June 13.
- In Rome, authorities have strengthened security around the Jewish Ghetto area and other Jewish locations. This includes the Great Synagogue, Jewish schools, the Portico of Octavia, and Israeli diplomatic missions in Rome and Vatican City. These, as well as other symbols of the Roman Jewish community, have been placed under “intensified surveillance” by police and Carabinieri. Events and demonstrations related to the Jewish community have also been assigned protective details.
Source: ADN 24
- In Milan, local authorities have ordered increased surveillance and patrols around several sites considered sensitive. These include Israeli and Iranian diplomatic and consular offices, Jewish and Muslim places of worship, and cultural and recreational spaces. Moreover, authorities noted enhanced security around the city’s infrastructure, which they describe as potential “strategic objectives” in the event of a violent escalation. Heightened security measures have been implemented near bridges, railway junctions, energy infrastructure, and other critical facilities.
Source: Gaeta
- In Milan, local authorities have ordered increased surveillance and patrols around several sites considered sensitive. These include Israeli and Iranian diplomatic and consular offices, Jewish and Muslim places of worship, and cultural and recreational spaces. Moreover, authorities noted enhanced security around the city’s infrastructure, which they describe as potential “strategic objectives” in the event of a violent escalation. Heightened security measures have been implemented near bridges, railway junctions, energy infrastructure, and other critical facilities.
Source: Gaeta
- Additionally, according to statements by Israeli officials, all Israeli diplomatic missions, including those in Europe, are closed to the public as of writing. Consular services have been suspended indefinitely.
- Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) released an advisory on June 13 urging Israelis abroad to take precautionary measures, citing the risk of Iran-backed groups carrying out attacks on Jewish or Israeli targets. The NSC advised that individuals abstain from posting details about travel plans or location on social media, avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public, and avoid large gatherings associated with Judaism or Israel. Additionally, the NSC advised Israeli nationals abroad to register their address and location with Israeli officials in case of emergency. Full details are available here.
- Moreover, Jewish community services in multiple countries, including Sweden and the UK, have issued similar unofficial warnings.
Source: Jerusalem Post
- Additionally, according to statements by Israeli officials, all Israeli diplomatic missions, including those in Europe, are closed to the public as of writing. Consular services have been suspended indefinitely.
- Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) released an advisory on June 13 urging Israelis abroad to take precautionary measures, citing the risk of Iran-backed groups carrying out attacks on Jewish or Israeli targets. The NSC advised that individuals abstain from posting details about travel plans or location on social media, avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public, and avoid large gatherings associated with Judaism or Israel. Additionally, the NSC advised Israeli nationals abroad to register their address and location with Israeli officials in case of emergency. Full details are available here.
- Moreover, Jewish community services in multiple countries, including Sweden and the UK, have issued similar unofficial warnings.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Assessments & Forecast
- The implementation of security measures for Jewish and Israeli institutions in western Europe was anticipated, as it aligns with similar steps taken in the aftermath of the Hamas terrorist attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, and Iran’s aerial attacks on Israel on April 13, 2024.
- While officials in the aforementioned countries have largely characterized the measures as preventive, rather than implemented in response to a concrete or imminent threat, heightened security postures also reiterate the potential for escalating anti-Semitic incidents, including attacks, in Europe amid escalation in the Middle East. Indeed, previous instances of escalation between Israel and Iran or Iranian proxies and allies, including Hezbollah and Hamas, have seen corresponding increases in anti-Semitic attacks regionwide, including instances of vandalism and arson of Israeli and Jewish institutions, as well as physical assaults of Jewish and Israeli individuals.
- Moreover, in light of the NSC warning, these measures underscore the ongoing threat posed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to retaliate against Israel via attacks abroad, with Europe becoming an increasingly active theater for Iran-backed activities since October 2023. Notable incidents include the Iran-backed attack plot targeting the Israeli Embassy in London, UK, on May 3, as well as the October 2024 shooting outside the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, and explosions of two hand grenades near the Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark, with Iranian involvement suspected in both.
- Iran’s increasing use of proxy criminal groups to plan and carry out attacks across Europe further elevates concerns over plots targeting Jewish and/or Israeli targets. Indeed, in May 2024, Sakerhetspolisen, the Swedish intelligence services, confirmed that Iran recruited the Swedish Foxtrot and Rumba organized crime groups to conduct attacks on Israeli targets in the Nordics. Thereafter, in May 2025, Denmark’s intelligence services reported that criminal proxies had procured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target Israeli interests on behalf of Hamas. The use of such criminals offers the organizers plausible deniability in the attacks, and other benefits, as such criminals have higher local knowledge, contacts with other transnational criminal networks, and access to weapons that can facilitate attack planning.
- FORECAST: As such, a broader threat of Iran-backed activities, including attack plots, is also expected in other countries in western Europe, with plots backed by Tehran foiled in Greece and Cyprus in recent years. Israeli and Jewish individuals, Israeli diplomatic missions, Jewish community centers, schools, synagogues, and kosher restaurants are likely to remain primary targets in the immediate and near term.
- FORECAST: With that, authorities are liable to strengthen security in other countries in Europe to detect any potential threats, including through transnational Europe-level coordination and cooperation with Israeli intelligence. Security measures are likely to be announced in additional cities in western Europe, particularly those with large Jewish, Israeli, or Iranian communities. Security measures are likely to include heightened police or military presence near Jewish establishments or Israeli diplomatic missions, access control including bollards or metal detectors at community events, and heightened online surveillance to detect potential threats.
- FORECAST: Moreover, given Iran’s threats to target US, UK, and French military assets in the Middle East, assets and institutions related to these countries may also be at elevated risk of retaliatory attacks in Europe. Accordingly, security measures are expected to be bolstered around embassies, consulates, military facilities, and other sites associated with these countries.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Europe on June 15 and in the coming weeks are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of Jewish and Israeli institutions and public gatherings due to the increased threat of attacks following the escalation of conflict between Israel and Iran.
- Travel to Europe may continue as per government guidelines while remaining cognizant of authorities’ updates regarding national and local terrorism threat levels.
- If alerted to suspicious activity, inform authorities immediately.
- If a potential stabbing, shooting, or similar violent incident manifests, it is advised to leave the area immediately, if possible, or take shelter at a secure location.
- Consider keeping a low profile and limiting the wearing or presenting of overt signs or symbols associated with Judaism and/or Israel. Those that wear the traditional Jewish head covering (kippah), are advised to consider wearing an additional head covering, such as a baseball cap.
- Public, private, and third-sector organizations are advised to increase awareness of threats on social media using threat monitoring services. Increased awareness of an organization’s political footprint and perceptions from online fringe groups can help uncover potential violent actors and plots before they occur.
- For any questions and risk assessments, please contact [email protected].
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Europe
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
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Related Reports
France
-
Militancy/TerrorismFrance Alert: PNAT launches terrorist investigation into far-right shooting of Tunisian, Turkish nationals in Puget-sur-Argens on June 2; reflects heightened threat of attacks on immigrants
-
DevelopingFrance Alert: Suspicious package prompts security operation, area cordoned off near Israeli Embassy in Paris as of afternoon hours (local time) on May 28; avoid nonessential travel
-
Kidnap and RansomFrance Alert: Relatives of cryptocurrency company’s CEO escape kidnapping attempt in Paris on May 13; highlights threat to high-net-worth individuals
-
DevelopingFrance Alert: Three injured in vehicle crash during football celebrations in Paris on May 8; reflects threat of violent incidents associated with major sporting events