Israel boosts security for missions, tourists abroad amid ‘concrete threats’ during Iran war

The Shin Bet and Foreign Ministry announced moves on Friday to reinforce security for Israeli civilians and diplomatic missions around the world, amid increased threats due to the ongoing US-Israeli campaign against Iran.

“In light of concrete threats against Israeli targets and Israeli missions around the world, the Shin Bet, in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry, has recently increased the operational readiness of security teams through specialized activities carried out in close coordination with local security forces around Israeli targets abroad,” read a joint statement.

The efforts “include enhancing rapid-response procedures, emergency evacuation capabilities and cooperation with local security authorities at Israeli missions worldwide, with particular emphasis on the Middle East, Europe and Africa,” the statement continued.

Both “overt and covert security measures” were taken to strengthen security around Israeli diplomatic missions, diplomats, official delegations and aviation-related targets, as well as in areas where Israelis gather abroad, the statement added.

The statement did not specify the nature of the threats or the details of the measures taken to combat them.

Days ago, Israel conducted a covert extraction of part of its embassy staff in the United Arab Emirates after two Iranian terror plots targeting the diplomatic team were foiled, an Israeli official told The Times of Israel.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed the evacuation, stating that “in light of concrete threats against Israeli missions in the UAE, and at the request of security authorities, non-essential staff were evacuated from the United Arab Emirates.”

A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 news that the attacks were part of “a specific effort to hunt the Israeli diplomats” and “were already underway.”

Thousands of Israelis remain in the UAE, including tourists whose flights were canceled, Israeli residents and Israelis holding foreign citizenship, many of whom were said to be seeking immediate assistance from Emirati and Israeli authorities to exit the country amid the heightened tensions with Iran.

Israel reopened its skies for repatriation flights Thursday, and is ramping up the number of planes allowed every day in order to bring Israelis home.

The National Security Council has issued a travel warning in light of a “concrete concern that terrorist elements are currently working to harm Israelis abroad.”

Since the war began, there have been “several attempts” to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis abroad, all of which have been foiled, the NSC added, telling Israelis to avoid flying through the UAE; to avoid public displays of Jewish or Israeli symbols; and to avoid synagogues and other Jewish sites.