Travel

02
Apr 2025
10:24 UTC

Israel Alert: NSC reiterates travel risks to Israelis travelling abroad ahead of holiday season on April 1; exercise heightened caution

Current Situation:

  • The National Security Council (NSC) of Israel has issued a travel advisory for Israelis traveling abroad ahead of the Passover and summer holidays, warning that Iran, Hamas, and other extremist groups could target Israeli and Jewish individuals.
  • The NSC stated that these threat actors will be motivated by the collapse of ceasefire with Hamas and the resumption of military operations in Gaza.
  • The NSC identifies Iran as the primary instigator of global terrorism against Israeli and Jewish targets, citing its efforts to retaliate for Israeli strikes that killed senior Iranian and Hezbollah officials.
  • The authorities stated that Iranian operatives are reportedly attempting to lure Israelis using fake business offers or impersonation tactics to harm or abduct them.
  • The NSC warns that Israeli actions in Gaza could also inspire global jihadist groups and lone-wolf terrorists to target Jews and Israelis.
  • A rise in hate crimes and antisemitic incidents, including planned mob violence against Jews and Israelis abroad, is anticipated.
  • The NSC advises against travel to high-risk areas like the Sinai Peninsula and recommends checking its travel advisory website before booking flights.
  • The NSC stated that travel warnings and recommended precautions for Israelis traveling abroad can be accessed here.

Source: NSC

Assessments & Forecast:

  1. The NSC’s latest advisory comes ahead of the anticipated surge in Israeli travelers for the weeklong Passover holiday beginning April 12. The latest advisory largely reaffirms prior warnings for Israeli and Jewish individuals to exercise heightened vigilance against Iranian threats. There have been notable precedents, such as the abduction and killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi in the UAE in November 2024, underscoring Iran’s continued efforts to target Israelis abroad. For this reason, the latest NSC advisory also warns against deceptive tactics, including impersonation and fraudulent business contacts, used to lure targets.
  2. The NSC’s warning follows the collapse of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) renewed military operations in Gaza on March 18. On March 31, the IDF issued its largest evacuation order in Rafah since hostilities resumed, signaling an imminent expansion of ground operations. Meanwhile, Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district since the ceasefire ended, underscoring rising tensions along the northern front. This will likely heighten the motivation of Iran’s regional allies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, to retaliate for their losses by targeting Israeli and Jewish travelers abroad. The NSC stated that although this risk is elevated, there is no immediate attack warning, and it serves as a precautionary measure at this time.
  3. The NSC also warns of an increased risk of antisemitic attacks, fueled by the perception that Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza disproportionately target civilians. This assessment aligns with the recent surge in such incidents across several European countries, as well as the disruption of planned attacks in Austria, Germany, Sweden, and Turkey.
  4. FORECAST: Amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and its allies across multiple fronts, the threat of Iranian-orchestrated attacks on Israeli nationals abroad will remain elevated in the coming days. In the Middle East, Israelis in Bahrain, Turkey, and the UAE may face heightened threats due to their proximity to Iran.

Recommendations:

  1. Israeli nationals abroad are advised to maintain heightened vigilance given Israeli assessments of various entities like Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Global Jihad organizations’ continued intentions to target Israeli nationals as well as assets and facilities linked to Israel. Remain cognizant of and adhere to country-specific travel warnings issued by the Israeli NSC.
  2. In general, maintain elevated vigilance and situational awareness at all times.
  3. Where possible, cover your passport to avoid revealing your identity, and regularly check that you are in possession of all travel documents. Leave Israeli ID cards at home. Be aware of Israeli addresses on your luggage when leaving luggage at hotel storage rooms.
  4. Limit contact with unknown individuals and be suspicious of suggestions and inquiries from unknown parties. Avoid sharing personal information, travel and itinerary details, locations of travel, and information on past military service with anyone, including local service providers.
  5. Avoid unaccompanied travel. If essential, update a trusted contact and share your location with them. Always be aware of suspicious people or vehicles when you are entering and exiting your hotel.
  6. Avoid the visible demonstration of your Israeli identity in public areas as well as sharing this information with unknown individuals. This includes speaking Hebrew, wearing clothes or carrying possessions with Hebrew on them, wearing garments that are typically associated with Israelis, or making reference to Israel. Do not draw attention to yourself.
  7. Exercise caution when receiving unsolicited business proposals or offers, particularly from unfamiliar sources. Verify the legitimacy of any company or individual before engaging in discussions.
  8. Do not open any packages or gifts that you do not recognize. Immediately alert local authorities/security personnel if you receive such items.

 

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Medium
AFFECTED AREA MENA
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Confirmed

Current Situation:

  • The National Security Council (NSC) of Israel has issued a travel advisory for Israelis traveling abroad ahead of the Passover and summer holidays, warning that Iran, Hamas, and other extremist groups could target Israeli and Jewish individuals.
  • The NSC stated that these threat actors will be motivated by the collapse of ceasefire with Hamas and the resumption of military operations in Gaza.
  • The NSC identifies Iran as the primary instigator of global terrorism against Israeli and Jewish targets, citing its efforts to retaliate for Israeli strikes that killed senior Iranian and Hezbollah officials.
  • The authorities stated that Iranian operatives are reportedly attempting to lure Israelis using fake business offers or impersonation tactics to harm or abduct them.
  • The NSC warns that Israeli actions in Gaza could also inspire global jihadist groups and lone-wolf terrorists to target Jews and Israelis.
  • A rise in hate crimes and antisemitic incidents, including planned mob violence against Jews and Israelis abroad, is anticipated.
  • The NSC advises against travel to high-risk areas like the Sinai Peninsula and recommends checking its travel advisory website before booking flights.
  • The NSC stated that travel warnings and recommended precautions for Israelis traveling abroad can be accessed here.

Source: NSC

Assessments & Forecast:

  1. The NSC’s latest advisory comes ahead of the anticipated surge in Israeli travelers for the weeklong Passover holiday beginning April 12. The latest advisory largely reaffirms prior warnings for Israeli and Jewish individuals to exercise heightened vigilance against Iranian threats. There have been notable precedents, such as the abduction and killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi in the UAE in November 2024, underscoring Iran’s continued efforts to target Israelis abroad. For this reason, the latest NSC advisory also warns against deceptive tactics, including impersonation and fraudulent business contacts, used to lure targets.
  2. The NSC’s warning follows the collapse of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) renewed military operations in Gaza on March 18. On March 31, the IDF issued its largest evacuation order in Rafah since hostilities resumed, signaling an imminent expansion of ground operations. Meanwhile, Israel has conducted multiple airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district since the ceasefire ended, underscoring rising tensions along the northern front. This will likely heighten the motivation of Iran’s regional allies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, to retaliate for their losses by targeting Israeli and Jewish travelers abroad. The NSC stated that although this risk is elevated, there is no immediate attack warning, and it serves as a precautionary measure at this time.
  3. The NSC also warns of an increased risk of antisemitic attacks, fueled by the perception that Israel’s renewed military operations in Gaza disproportionately target civilians. This assessment aligns with the recent surge in such incidents across several European countries, as well as the disruption of planned attacks in Austria, Germany, Sweden, and Turkey.
  4. FORECAST: Amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran and its allies across multiple fronts, the threat of Iranian-orchestrated attacks on Israeli nationals abroad will remain elevated in the coming days. In the Middle East, Israelis in Bahrain, Turkey, and the UAE may face heightened threats due to their proximity to Iran.

Recommendations:

  1. Israeli nationals abroad are advised to maintain heightened vigilance given Israeli assessments of various entities like Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Global Jihad organizations’ continued intentions to target Israeli nationals as well as assets and facilities linked to Israel. Remain cognizant of and adhere to country-specific travel warnings issued by the Israeli NSC.
  2. In general, maintain elevated vigilance and situational awareness at all times.
  3. Where possible, cover your passport to avoid revealing your identity, and regularly check that you are in possession of all travel documents. Leave Israeli ID cards at home. Be aware of Israeli addresses on your luggage when leaving luggage at hotel storage rooms.
  4. Limit contact with unknown individuals and be suspicious of suggestions and inquiries from unknown parties. Avoid sharing personal information, travel and itinerary details, locations of travel, and information on past military service with anyone, including local service providers.
  5. Avoid unaccompanied travel. If essential, update a trusted contact and share your location with them. Always be aware of suspicious people or vehicles when you are entering and exiting your hotel.
  6. Avoid the visible demonstration of your Israeli identity in public areas as well as sharing this information with unknown individuals. This includes speaking Hebrew, wearing clothes or carrying possessions with Hebrew on them, wearing garments that are typically associated with Israelis, or making reference to Israel. Do not draw attention to yourself.
  7. Exercise caution when receiving unsolicited business proposals or offers, particularly from unfamiliar sources. Verify the legitimacy of any company or individual before engaging in discussions.
  8. Do not open any packages or gifts that you do not recognize. Immediately alert local authorities/security personnel if you receive such items.

 

COUNTRY RISK LEVEL Medium
AFFECTED AREA MENA
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Confirmed

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