1. Since October 2023 (the beginning of the Swords of Iron War), a sharp increase has been identified in the motivation of terrorist groups and their efforts to carry out attacks against Israeli/Jewish targets around the world. These includes declarations, threats and encouraging terrorist groups.

2. Iran and Hezbollah continue to threaten that they will harm Israelis and to act to that end. This is, among other reasons, because they accuse Israel of being responsible for killing senior officials of the Axis of Evil. Several threats have stood out, including:

• Iran's Supreme Leader referred (April 2) to the elimination of a senior commander on the Quds Force in Syria and threatened that "Israel will regret [it]." At the same time, billboards were put up across Tehran depicting senior IDF commanders and Israeli government officials with targets placed on their heads.
• Iran's Supreme Leader said (July 31) that Israel must be "harshly punished," in reference to the elimination of Hamas leader Haniyeh on Iranian soil.
• In the past few weeks, Iranian senior officials, including the incoming president, have continued to declare their intent to exact revenge on Israel for the numerous operations attributed to it.
• Hezbollah's leader has also threatened Israel with a "new level" of retaliation. Although Hezbollah has responded to the assassination of Fuad Shukr, we cannot rule out additional Hezbollah operations against Israeli targets abroad (as a reminder, in 2012, Hezbollah murdered five Israelis in a suicide attack in Burgas, Bulgaria).

3. In addition, since the beginning of the Swords of Iron War, we have witnessed a significant increase in Hamas' motivation and efforts to carry out attacks against Jews and Israelis also abroad. For example, in December 2023, a large Hamas infrastructure was discovered in several northern European countries, with plans to attack Israelis in Sweden and Germany. We presume that the organization will continue its efforts to carry out such attacks against Israelis and Jews abroad.

4. Recently (August 29), Daesh, on behalf of its leadership, once more encouraged its followers to carry out attacks in Europe in response to the war in Gaza. It stressed the need to focus on Christian and Jewish targets, including synagogues. Meanwhile, Global Jihad factions (specifically Daesh and al Qaeda) continue their efforts to attack various targets around the world.

5. The growing threat and increase in terrorist activity against Israelis and Jews abroad is reflected in dozens of foiled attempted attacks targeting Israelis and Jews abroad (it has been made public that Iranian terrorist attacks against Israelis in Peru, France, Germany and Greece were thwarted) alongside several successful attacks, including those that took human life:

• The murder of four Israelis in Egypt (in two separate attacks, in October 2023 and May 2024).
• The terrorist attack against churches and synagogues in Dagestan (June 2024), which killed 15 people (none of whom were Israeli or Jewish) and injured 26.
• Shooting attacks against Israeli/Jewish targets in several locations around the world.
• Grenades (mostly stun grenades) hurled at Israeli diplomatic missions in several countries around the world.
• Arson, or attempted arson of synagogues/Israeli businesses in several countries.

6. In addition to the increased terrorism threat, there has been a significant increase in hate crimes perpetrated against Jews and Israelis around the world. In 2024, there were many dozens of incidents in which Jews/Israelis were violently attacked, including incidents involving cold weapons, car-ramming attempts and even rape (France, June 2024).

7. We expect October 7, 2024, (the one-year anniversary of the Swords of Iron War) to be a significant date for terrorist organizations (and in particular Hamas and Global Jihad factions). Around that time, efforts to carry out attacks against Israeli/Jewish targets abroad are expected to intensify, both in planned attacks and in local initiatives or lone-wolf attacks.

8. The Sinai Peninsula continues to be targeted by terrorist groups, especially in light of the fact that it is still known to be a tourist destination for Israelis despite the high threat potential in the area. It should be noted that a level 4 travel alert (high threat level) has been issued—and travel to this location is prohibited.

9. To conclude, the high motivation among terrorist organizations (Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, Global Jihad) alongside the anti-Israeli, anti-Jew hate-filled atmosphere in many countries since the beginning of the war, significantly increase the likelihood of lone-wolf assailants, grassroots organizations or organized terrorist groups carrying out attacks against Israelis/Jews abroad. 

10. Recommendations:

Ahead of the High Holidays, during which hundreds of thousands of Israelis are expected to travel abroad, we would like to increase public awareness to the various terrorist threats abroad and suggest that those traveling follow the recommendations published on the website of the National Security Council (NSC).

11. We wish to emphasize the dangers of sharing or posting on social media (Facebook, Telegram, WhatsApp, TikTok, etc.) anything that could identify you as being a member of or active in Israel's security forces (be it regular service, standing army or as a reservist). Sharing any such information increases the risk that the person who shared it or is depicted in it will be marked as a target for attack. Therefore, we recommend to avoid posting any content in any format that indicates or refers to service in the security forces, military operations or any similar content. 

12. We also wish to underscore the possible danger of being lured and kidnapped. We ask that you be wary of anyone unfamiliar who tries to make any type of contact with you, especially online and for those who do most of their business abroad. 

13. We stress the importance of refraining from travel to the following countries, in light of the real life-threatening danger facing Israelis in these places:

• Iraq, including Iraqi Kurdistan (travel is forbidden by law)
• Yemen (travel is forbidden by law)
• Iran (travel is forbidden by law)
• Syria (travel is forbidden by law)
• Lebanon (travel is forbidden by law)
• Saudi Arabia (travel is limited by law)
• Bangladesh
• Somalia
• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Libya
• Algeria
• Jordan
• Egypt, including the Sinai Peninsula
• Turkey

14. To clarify, if you are concerned that you have been exposed to a terrorist threat while abroad, you must first inform the local security forces in the country where you are staying and then contact the NSC's Travel Warning 24/7 hotline, at +972-2-6667444.

15. For updates or if you have questions relating to terrorist threats against Israelis, please contact the NSC's Travel Warning 24/7 hotline, at +972-2-6667444.

16. For other matters, such as health services, consular issues, crimes related personal security or antisemitism, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' 24/7 hotline, at +972-2-5303155