Israelis, Jews abroad face heightened terror threat as High Holy Days near, NSC warns

The National Security Council on Sunday issued a warning that terrorist organizations and individual attackers continue to seek opportunities to target Israelis and Jews around the world ahead of the 2026 High Holy Days. 

The updated assessment was intended to raise awareness of current threats to Israelis overseas and encourage preventive measures, the NSC said, stressing that it does not constitute a new set of travel warnings.

Israel’s ongoing confrontations with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas have broadened the threat to Israelis abroad, according to the council. At the same time, increasingly hostile anti-Israel rhetoric and incitement have contributed to growing motivation among terrorist groups and individual attackers to target Israelis and Jews.

The NSC identified the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre as a particularly sensitive period. October 2026 could see large-scale protests, some of which may turn violent, alongside intensified efforts to carry out terrorist attacks, it warned.

Iran and its proxies remain the main global terrorist threat to Israelis and Jews, the assessment said. Tehran, driven in part by a desire to retaliate for blows it has suffered in recent years, continues to pursue operations through its own networks, proxy groups, and criminal organizations.

Additionally, Hamas is investing significant resources in establishing terrorist infrastructure in Europe and other countries with the aim of carrying out revenge attacks or high-profile attacks against Israelis and Jews, the NSC said.

The Houthis have also called for attacks on Israel and Israelis traveling to Somaliland and elsewhere in Africa, viewing Israel’s presence on the continent as a threat, according to the assessment.

What countries are most dangerous for Israelis and Jews to travel to?

Countries surrounding Iran remain particularly exposed to Iranian terrorist activity because of both established networks and their geographic proximity to the Islamic Republic, the NSC said. The NSC specifically highlighted Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland, and Egypt, including the Sinai Peninsula, remain under Level 4 travel warnings. Israelis should avoid travel to or remaining in those areas, the council said.

The NSC also advised travelers to avoid connection and transit stops in Level 4 countries wherever possible. Israelis passing through such countries must not leave airport terminals, it said.

Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, Yemen, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon remain prohibited destinations for Israeli citizens under Israeli law, including dual nationals.

Travel to Saudi Arabia remains legally restricted. The NSC also advised Israelis to avoid Bangladesh, Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, and Algeria due to the high level of risk.

NSC urges Israelis to avoid showing Jewish identifiers, speaking Hebrew

The NSC advised Israelis overseas to avoid displaying prominent Israeli or Jewish identifiers, including kippot and clothing with Hebrew writing. In countries under a Level 3 warning, travelers were advised to limit speaking Hebrew in crowded public places.

Travelers were also urged not to publish real-time locations or check-ins on social media and to conceal, block, or remove content indicating service in Israel’s security services, including regular, career, or reserve military service.

The advisory comes amid broader concerns over harassment and violence directed at Israelis abroad. The Foreign Ministry said in July that it had received 45 reports of antisemitic incidents involving Israelis overseas during the preceding year, including physical assaults, verbal abuse, and denial of services.

The council called for heightened vigilance around Chabad houses, kosher restaurants, synagogues, and other Jewish or Israeli gathering places, particularly regarding suspicious people or objects.

Israelis were also advised to stay away from demonstrations and protests and avoid political arguments with strangers.

Travelers should keep the emergency numbers of local security and law enforcement authorities readily available, the NSC said.