Holiday travel by Israelis and Jews — especially during the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which is entirely filled with the holiest days of the Jewish calendar — is a cultural tradition.
Unfortunately, Arab terrorists rely on that practice and make their plans accordingly as well, thus requiring overtime hours from Israeli security personnel.
The Counter-Terrorism Bureau of the Israeli National Security Council has just issued its pre-holiday travel warning for Israelis and Jews who are traveling abroad for this joyous time of year.
The upcoming fall holidays are liable to constitute pretexts for terrorist attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad, warns the statement from the council.
“The following travel warnings are based on solid and reliable information and reflect tangible threats,” the statement begins.
“Recent terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists over the past year in Belgium, Canada, Australia, France and Denmark raise concerns over additional attacks against Western targets, including Israeli and Jewish targets, by veterans of the fighting in Syria and Iraq who are affiliated with Global Jihad (including Islamic State) and by local and regional elements inspired by the terrorist organizations.”
The global terrorist campaign by Iran and Hezbollah continues to threaten Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, “especially tourists and Jewish symbols – rabbis, community leaders, Chabad houses.”
In particular, the council noted, “a severe travel warning remains in effect for the Sinai Peninsula.”
It is illegal for Israelis to travel to Syria, Iraq (including Iraqi Kurdistan), Iran, Lebanon, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, and “there are very high concrete threats” regarding travel to those countries, the council says.
The same applies for travel to Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Burkina-Faso, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan and Togo. “It is recommended that the public avoid all visits to these countries. Any Israelis present in these countries are advised to leave immediately,” according to the council.
“There are high concrete threats regarding travel to Algeria, Djibouti, Mauritania and Tunisia. It is recommended that the public avoid visits to these countries. Any Israelis present in these countries are advised to leave as soon as possible.”
There are basic concrete threats regarding travel to Bahrain, Egypt (see below for Sinai), Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. “It is recommended that the public avoid visiting these countries,” the council advises.
“There are continuing potential threats regarding travel to Azerbaijan, Turkey, Morocco, Oman, Kenya (see below) and Nigeria (see below). It is recommended that the public avoid non-essential visits to these countries.”
In addition, the council issues travel warnings for several regions as well.
“There are very high concrete threats regarding travel to southern Thailand (from the Krabi-Thammarat line to the Malaysian border), the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, Chechnya (in Russia), the northern India state of Jammu and Kashmir (except for the Ladakh area), the Sinai peninsula and northern Nigeria (above 10 degrees north latitude).
“It is recommended that the public avoid visits to these regions. Any Israelis present in these regions are advised to leave as soon as possible.
There is also a “high concrete threat regarding travel to eastern Senegal. It is recommended that the public avoid visiting this region. Any Israelis present in this region are advised to leave as soon as possible.”
According to the report, there is a “basic concrete threat regarding travel to Kenya (Nairobi and the coastal strip). It is recommended that the public avoid visiting these areas.”
Travelers and tourists are called upon to exercise due caution at all times, the council advises.