Israel has issued an unprecedented warning to its citizens to refrain from travelling abroad unless necessary and to conceal their national and Jewish identity if they must make a foreign trip.
The National Security Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have put out a warning calling on "all citizens of Israel to exercise heightened caution when travelling anywhere abroad", Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy said.
"We know that Jewish communities and their institutions, Israeli diplomatic missions and airports handling flights to and from Israel are key targets for... violent antisemites," he continued.
As a result, the National Security Council is urging "all Israelis to consider whether any foreign travel, anywhere in the world, is necessary at this dangerous moment."
Levy continued: "Citizens planning to travel to countries with specific travel warnings are asked to postpone their visits and we emphasise Arab and Middle Eastern states, the Northern Caucuses and countries bordering Iran."
Adding that he "truly cannot believe that we are doing this", Levy said Israel was asking "all citizens to avoid displaying any outward signs of their Israeli or Jewish identity when travelling anywhere in the world."
Those who must travel should keep "on speed dial" the numbers of emergency services and the local Israeli embassies; avoid anti-Israel and jihad protests; and "remain alert and vigilant" about their surroundings at all times, Levy concluded.
