Israel’s National Security Council issues travel warning ahead of Oct 7 anniversary

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In a public statement released on Wednesday, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) warned that efforts to target Israelis and Jews traveling overseas are escalating, emphasizing the rising terror threats against these communities abroad.

“We expect October 7, 2024, (the one-year anniversary of the Swords of Iron War) to be a significant date for terrorist organizations (and in particular Hamas and Global Jihad factions). Around that time, efforts to carry out attacks against Israeli/Jewish targets abroad are expected to intensify, both in planned attacks and in local initiatives or lone-wolf attacks,” the NCS said in its announcement.

The warning is relevant for Jewish sites around the world, the NSC noted, adding that there is an “atmosphere of hatred” across the globe against Israelis and Jews that “significantly” increases the terror threat and risks of attacks by organized terror cells or 'lone-wolf' attackers.

In its statement, the NSC warned specifically about Iran and its proxies Hezbollah and Hamas, in addition to other global jihadist terror groups.

Moreover, the statement cautioned that the Sinai Peninsula remains a high-risk destination for Israeli tourists due to its popularity, despite the ongoing significant terror threat, and advised against any travel there

The NSC recommended that members of Israel’s security forces be careful about what they post on social media.

“We wish to emphasize the dangers of sharing or posting on social media (Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp, TikTok, etc.) anything that could identify you as being a member of or active in Israel's security forces (be it regular service, standing army or as a reservist),” the NSC stated, adding: “Sharing any such information increases the risk that the person who shared it or is depicted in it will be marked as a target for attack.”

The NSC also highlighted the potential risk of abductions, underscoring the seriousness of the current security threat against Jews.

“We also wish to underscore the possible danger of being lured and kidnapped. We ask that you be wary of anyone unfamiliar who tries to make any type of contact with you, especially online and for those who do most of their business abroad,” the NSC stressed.

The Council specifically advised against traveling to other countries in the Middle East.

“We stress the importance of refraining from travel to the following countries, in light of the real life-threatening danger facing Israelis in these places: Iraq (including the Kurdish region), Yemen, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia (restricted by law), Bangladesh, Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, Algeria, Jordan, Egypt (including the Sinai Peninsula) and Turkey.”

In December 2023, Israel issued a warning about the threat posed by Hamas by sending personal letters signed by Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli to 20 European leaders. These letters contained evidence of Hamas terrorist activities and operatives from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) operating in major European cities.

“Weeks have passed since the barbarism that Hamas committed against infants, children, the elderly, and thousands of Israeli citizens. This is not the time for ambiguity. I want to clarify this unequivocally. Hamas has proven that their goal is to kill Jews everywhere,” Chikli wrote.

“Since the massacre, calls for violence against Jews worldwide have increased by 120% – a shocking statistic. Unfortunately, Hamas's bloodlust is not limited to Israel and Jews but also extends to Europe and Christians. I want to remind you that in the past, Hamas members expressed the Islamic intention to conquer Europe,” he added.