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The National Security Council (NSC) on Tuesday issued a travel warning for Israelis abroad ahead of spring holidays and summer vacations, citing heightened threats from terrorist organizations.
"We assess that Hamas will continue its efforts to carry out attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets overseas," the NSC said.
The NSC urged Israelis to review travel advisories before booking trips and follow safety recommendations, stressing that these advisories reflect real and immediate threats. The Sinai Peninsula remains a high-risk destination due to ongoing terrorist threats, with a Level 4 warning in place advising Israelis to avoid travel to the region.
Global threat trends against Israelis and Jews
Iran and its proxies
Iran remains a key instigator of global terrorism, both directly and through proxies, targeting Israeli and Jewish sites worldwide. It continues using terrorism as a policy tool and in retaliation for the killing of senior Iranian, Hezbollah and Hamas figures in the ongoing war.
Several Iran-directed terror plots have been foiled over the past year, including planned attacks against Israeli diplomatic missions in Sweden and Belgium. Iranian operatives have also attempted to lure Israelis into harm's way through business-related or fake identity schemes. The NSC warns of increasing online recruitment attempts via emails and social media.
Hamas operations abroad
Hamas is actively planning attacks against Jews and Israelis overseas, driven in part by its deteriorating situation in Gaza and the resumption of hostilities. Since the war began, Israeli security agencies have thwarted multiple Hamas plots targeting Israelis in Denmark, Germany, Bulgaria and Sweden. The NSC expects Hamas to persist in these efforts.
Global jihadist activity
Recent months have seen a rise in terrorist attacks by ISIS, al-Qaeda, al-Shabaab and other radical Islamist groups, particularly in Europe. The NSC warns that with the collapse of the ceasefire in Gaza and the renewal of fighting, lone-wolf attacks and locally initiated plots against Jewish and Israeli targets are likely to increase.
ISIS has repeatedly called on its followers to attack Jews and Israelis worldwide. Recent attacks attributed to the terror group include a New Year's Eve car-ramming in New Orleans that killed 14 and injured 57. Other incidents include ramming attacks in Germany, a stabbing in Austria and multiple foiled plots in Germany, Sweden and Turkey.
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In Australia, authorities have prevented attacks on Jewish and Israeli targets, including an attempted bombing, while arson attacks were carried out on a synagogue and a kindergarten. In Canada, 2024 has seen multiple firebombings and shootings targeting synagogues and Jewish schools in Montreal and Toronto.
Jihadist activity remains concentrated in Africa (particularly the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and parts of Central Africa), the Middle East and Asia (notably Afghanistan, southern Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kashmir and parts of Indonesia).
Rise in antisemitic attacks
Alongside increased terrorism threats, hate crimes and antisemitic incidents against Jews and Israelis have surged since the start of the war. Hundreds of violent assaults have been reported worldwide, both in organized attacks and lone-wolf incidents. Notable cases include the mob assault on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam.
The NSC warns that Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and global jihadist groups remain highly motivated to carry out attacks against Israelis and Jews worldwide. Rising hostility toward Israelis and Jews in many countries continues to fuel terrorism efforts, including lone-wolf attacks and independent terror cells.