Israel’s National Security Council has updated its travel warning information and country risk rating for dozens of nations. The revised guidance, released on Monday 4 December, sees raised risk alert levels for Israeli citizens intending to travel to destinations across Europe, Africa and Central Asia. It comes just as Israel ends the humanitarian pause that had been underway in Gaza and resumes its devastating military action.
“Reconsider all international trips”
Citing “rising levels of incitement, attempted attacks, and antisemitism around the world”, the Security Council recommends Israelis reconsider the necessity of all international trips and refrain from displaying outward signs of Jewishness. The agency’s advice also urges Israelis abroad to stay away from all protests and demonstrations, and to remain alert at all times.
🔴Updated National Security Council Travel Warnings:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 4, 2023
For Israeli citizens traveling abroad, we recommend choosing your destinations wisely, while exercising recommended precautionary measures.
Further information >>https://t.co/KPToK06SYH pic.twitter.com/12qdPeNiKn
“Additional precautions”
Following the update, around 80 countries now feature in the alert. More countries are now considered to be at a “Level 2” for risk, meaning Israelis should take “additional precautions” if travelling there.
In the wake of anti-Jewish violence and pro-peace demonstrations, these include France, Germany, and the UK in Europe, as well as Argentina and Brazil in South America, and Australia. On the list too is Russia, where, in footage that caused shockwaves around the world this autumn, an anti-Jewish mob stormed a Dagestan airport apparently looking for Jews to confront and harm.
Should I postpone travel?
On top of the increased number of Level 2 countries, risk levels have been raised even higher for those considering travel to South Africa and Eritrea, and a suite of central Asian nations, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. All these are now deemed to be at risk Level 3, a degree of potential danger where the government recommends citizens postpone any nonessential travel.
As well as that sweep of the northern Caucasus, Russia, Iran, and Muslim countries in Asia, the National Security statement also names Arab and Middle Eastern countries in its list of countries to which travellers should postpone any visits.
Colour-coded map
A map and a full list of alerts accompanied the release of the National Security Council update. The graphic illustrates risk alert levels for each nation, with a colour-coded key from Level 1 (no threat) to Level 4 (high threat).
A fifth level, coloured orange-red, indicates a range of threat level depending on the area of the country where a visit is intended. Only North America and a handful of other pockets, including Mongolia, are depicted in green at the time of writing.
