Counter-terrorism bureau issues travel warnings to Israelis

Marcy Oster

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued warnings to Israeli travelers for the heavy travel season during the fall holidays.

“There is – at this time – an increasing potential threat as a result of the recent Operation Protective Edge during which there were many demonstrations at Israeli embassies and consulates around the world. There has also been an increase in anti-Semitic incidents. These trends are likely to continue during the holiday period,” said the warning issued Monday.

There is also concern over additional attacks on Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide, in the wake of the May 4 attack at the Jewish museum in Brussels which left four dead, especially in Western Europe, by global jihad elements including ISIS, specifically by fighters returning home from Syria and Iraq, according to the warning.

The warning also advised that the global terrorist campaign by Iran and Hezbollah continues to threaten Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, especially targets such as Jewish tourists, and symbolic targets such as Jewish institutions and rabbis.

The warning reiterated that it is unlawful for Israelis to travel to Syria, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. It also recommended avoiding travel to Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan and Somalia, and that Israelis currently in those countries are advised to leave immediately.

The warning also published high concrete threats and basic concrete threats in a dozen countries each and recommended that the Israeli public refrain from visiting those countries.

A severe travel warning remains in effect for Israelis visiting the Sinai Peninsula.