Israel has issued a major security warning for its citizens around the world ahead of an upcoming religious holiday.
The country’s National Security Council (NSC) said the risk of terrorist attacks against Israelis and Jews traveling abroad has risen significantly compared with before. As part of this warning, Bangladesh has been added to the list of countries considered extremely high-risk for Israeli travel.
The Israeli government’s main concern is that Iran and various allied groups could carry out attacks on Israelis abroad. It believes anti-Israel protests and violence could increase worldwide around the anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict this October.
In this environment, besides Bangladesh, Israelis have been advised to exercise special caution and avoid travel to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya and Algeria.
Israeli travel to countries such as Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen has also been legally banned. Jordan, Qatar, Egypt and Turkey have also been placed on the high-risk list.
The council has advised Israeli citizens abroad to keep their identity concealed. It has asked them to refrain from speaking Hebrew in public, wearing religious clothing or symbols, and revealing their location on social media.
It has also called on them to avoid any kind of protest or gathering and to keep emergency assistance arrangements on hand.