Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued a special warning ahead of the upcoming holiday season. Israelis are advised to beware of the clear and present dangers.
Israel’s National Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau offered updated travel warnings on Monday ahead of the upcoming New Year and Jewish holidays, which includes the warning that Israelis may become targets for terrorists around the world.
Extra police protection set up near the Jewish center in Antwerp, Belgium after the recent terrorist attack in Brussels. (Photo: Joods Actueel/Flash90)
“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,” the statement read.
The terrorist attack at the Jewish Museum in Brussels on May 4 has sparked concern over additional attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, especially in Western Europe, by global jihad elements (including ISIS), specifically by fighters returning home from Syria and Iraq.
The statement noted that the global terror campaign by Iran and Hezbollah continues to threaten Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, especially “soft” targets, meaning tourists and Jewish symbols such as rabbis, community leaders and Chabad houses around the globe.
All Muslim and Arab countries are, of course, dangerous places for Israelis to be. “Any Israelis present in these countries are advised to leave immediately,” the warning urges. Parts of Africa and Asia are unsafe as well. In total, 41 locations were ranked according to varying levels of threat.
“These travel warnings are based on concrete and reliable information which reflect a tangible threat. Travelers and tourists are called upon to exercise due caution at all times,” the statement concludes.
Jewish Museum in Brussels Reopens
The Jewish Museum in Brussels reopened on Sunday under tight security after being closed since the deadly attack in May, in which two Israelis, Emmanuel Riva, 54, and Myriam Riva, 53, from Tel Aviv, and Dominique Sabrier, 66, a French volunteer at the museum and Alexandre Strens, 25 , were murdered by Mehdi Nemmouche, a Frenchman of Algerian extract who had recently returned from fighting alongside Islamic terrorists in Syria.
On July 18, 2012, a Hezbollah terrorist blew himself up on a bus full of Israeli tourists at Burgas Airport, Bulgaria. The explosion killed the Bulgarian bus driver and five Israelis, and injured another 34 Israelis.
Author: Aryeh Savir
Staff Writer, United with Israel