Mysterious security warnings see Israeli diaspora minister's trip cancelled, flights to Cyprus rerouted

Israelis were surprised over the past couple days to see two unusual security announcements coming from the government.

First, the Prime Minister’s Office announced that Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli’s scheduled trip to Brussels, during which he was scheduled to speak to an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event at the European Parliament on Tuesday, was abruptly canceled for security reasons. 

“Due to concrete warnings and following the directives of security officials, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli is required to cancel his trip to the European Parliament in Brussels,” the statement from the government announced. 

Minister Chikli also confirmed the message from the security establishment in a post to 𝕏, Sunday evening saying, “I regret receiving instructions from security officials this evening to cancel my participation in the International Holocaust Remembrance Day events at the European Parliament. It is unfortunate that the European capital, Brussels, has become an unsafe place for Jews and Israelis.” 

The pro-Palestinian Hind Rajab Foundation, which has become known for filing war crimes complaints against IDF reservists traveling outside Israel, claimed that Chikli canceled the trip to avoid facing prosecution. 

In a post to 𝕏, the foundation said, “The minister who threatened HRF chairman Dyab Aboujahjah canceled a visit to Brussels, citing 'security concerns.' We are convinced that this decision has more to do with avoiding justice and legal action. The Hind Rajab Foundation will continue its efforts to End Impunity.” 

The European Jewish Organizations Association (EJA) chairman, Rabbi Menachem Margolin, decried the security threat that caused an Israeli minister to cancel his participation. 

“The fact that even today, 80 years after the Holocaust, an Israeli minister is forced to cancel a visit to a Western country for security reasons indicates more than anything that all the leaders' 'Never Again' declarations are empty of serious commitment,” Margolin said. “This year's International Holocaust Remembrance Day will be the saddest since the Holocaust.” 

Shortly after the announcement of the cancelation of Chikli’s trip, the Israel Security Agency (better know as Shin Bet), instructed Israeli airlines, including El Al, IsraAir, and Arkia not to fly to Paphos in Cyprus. 

The instruction was first reported by Israeli media, which stated that the flights were diverted for security reasons “that cannot be made public.” 

The flights are being rerouted to Larnaca, Cyprus instead. The exact nature of the security threat is not clear, as Ynet news reported that passengers have not been instructed to avoid traveling to Paphos on their own, once in Cyprus.