Israel's National Security Council warns ahead of Passover holiday

Israel's National Security Council warned of attacks against Jewish and Israeli citizens ahead of the Passover holiday.

Passover (Hebrew: פסח‎) is an important Jewish religious holiday that commemorates the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and is celebrated by Jews for eight days. The holiday, which begins on April 12 (23 Farvardin), is a time when many Jewish and Israeli citizens travel abroad.

Israel's National Security Council (NSC) yesterday warned that Hamas is likely preparing for a terrorist attack against Israeli citizens abroad, citing Hamas-affiliated operatives who were arrested in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands in December 2023 on charges of planning attacks on Jews in Europe. The NSC also warned that, following the deterioration of Hamas's situation in Gaza and the renewed war, Hamas is likely trying to prepare for a terrorist attack against Israeli citizens abroad.

In addition to the aforementioned elements who were arrested, Bulgarian police also announced in April last year (2024) the discovery of a weapons cache linked to four other suspects. Israel's National Security Council, while reiterating that Israeli citizens and Jews are targets of possible attacks by the terrorist groups Hamas, the Islamic Republic and Islamic Jihad (ISIS), urged travelers to review official security advice and take the necessary precautions before traveling.

The National Security Council also stated that the Islamic Republic, through its proxies, also played a key role in planning and supporting these attacks, directly or indirectly. The thwarting of several operations in Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands is evidence that indicates the role of the Islamic Republic in terrorist attacks.

The NSC also added in yesterday's warning: "The risk of lone wolf attacks has increased amid the rise in activity by Islamic jihadist groups such as ISIS, al-Qaeda and al-Shabab, particularly in Europe. The arson and bombing attacks in Australia, a wave of Molotov cocktail attacks and shootings at Jewish institutions in Canada, the car-ramming that killed 14 people and injured dozens, and the violence against Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans in Amsterdam in November are all evidence of an increase in attacks on Jews and Israelis."

In its warning, the National Security Council repeatedly emphasized the need for travelers to follow security recommendations and take precautions before traveling.