Israel has warned its citizens to avoid wearing Jewish symbols as attacks on Israelis and Jews around the world are on the rise.
Friday's warning by the National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry in Israel comes as Israeli troops tightened their encirclement on Gaza City, in an effort to defeat Palestinian militants in its war against Hamas.
On October 7, Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest-ever airstrikes on Gaza. According to Israeli officials, 1,400 people in Israel were killed in Hamas' attack, the Associated Press reported, while 9,227 Palestinians have been killed since Friday, according to officials from the health ministry in Gaza, the AP reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is "at war" and has cut off supplies of food, fuel, electricity and medicine into Gaza.
"In recent weeks, against the backdrop of the Swords of Iron conflict, the National Security Council and the Foreign Ministry have witnessed a significant rise in incidents of antisemitism and incitement, alongside life-threatening attacks against Israelis and Jews around the world," officials said in a joint statement on Friday.
The statement continued: "These incidents are occurring in numerous countries worldwide, including countries that do not have terrorism warnings."
They said sites that are core targets for these attacks include Jewish communities, religious institutions like synagogues and Chabad Houses, kosher restaurants, Israeli businesses, Israeli delegations, and airports that have flights to and from Israel.
Israeli officials warned its citizens from traveling abroad and gave recommendations for citizens who do decide to leave Israel.
These recommendations include abstaining from wearing or displaying Israeli and Jewish symbols and refraining from conversations about Israeli security systems with people unfamiliar with the matter.
Israeli officials also advised its citizens abroad to avoid protests, demonstrations, or violent incidents against Israelis and to stay alert while traveling.
They said to avoid going to countries with travel warnings, particularly Arab countries, the Middle East, North Caucasus, and Iran's surrounding countries.
Newsweek reached out to Israel's Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry via email for comment.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) also advised Americans not to travel to Gaza due to terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict and to reconsider travel to Israel because of terrorism and civil unrest.
Israel's travel warning comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Israel for his third visit since Hamas' surprise attack.
During his visit, Blinken said on Friday that, "We need to be doing more to protect Palestinian civilians." While he maintains the U.S.'s position that Israel has a right to defend itself, he said "how it does so matters."
Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a televised statement on Friday that he told Blinken that "Israel refuses a temporary ceasefire that does not include the release of our hostages."
He added: "Israel will not enable the entry of fuel to Gaza and opposes sending money to the Strip," despite the need for fuel to aid humanitarian efforts in the region.
Newsweek reached out to Netanyahu's office via online form and DOS via email for comment.
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Rachel Dobkin is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting on politics. Rachel joined Newsweek in ... Read more
