From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Ahead of holiday season, Israel warns of Iran-backed terror threats to Israelis and Jews abroad
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
The National Security Council warns of potential threats to Israelis and Jews abroad ahead of the Jewish holiday season, highlighting the risk of attacks by Iran-backed terror groups, particularly around the anniversary of October 7.
The updated assessment outlines “key trends in global terrorist activity,” but does not issue new travel warnings to any locations.
According to the NSC, Iran and its proxies Hamas and Hezbollah, and global jihadi groups Islamic State, al-Qaeda and al-Shabab, all remain motivated to target Israelis and Jews worldwide.
“Hamas is also expanding its own activities beyond the war in Gaza to establish terrorist infrastructure and carry out terrorist attacks against Jews and Israelis abroad,” the report says.
The assessment also warns of the wider threat posed by Tehran, noting that “Iran is increasingly motivated by retaliation” after the recent war with Israel.
The council warns that October 7 — the second anniversary of Hamas’s attack on Israel — could “again this year serve as a significant date for terror organizations, particularly Hamas and global jihadi elements to carry out attacks against Israeli/Jewish targets abroad—whether through planned operations or local initiatives/lone attackers.”
The NSC notes a rise in violent antisemitic incidents alongside incitement on social media, fueled by what it describes as anti-Israel campaigns since the outbreak of the war in Gaza.
It urges Israelis to continue to exercise extreme caution abroad by avoiding displaying Israeli or Jewish symbols, speaking Hebrew in public, joining large unsecured gatherings, or sharing any content about military service or locations on social media.
The council advises against travel to high-risk countries including Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen — which is in any case forbidden by law — as well as Egypt (including Sinai), Turkey, Jordan, and others.
In case of suspected threats abroad, Israelis should first contact local security services and then the NSC’s hotline at +972-2-6667444.
The Times of Israel Community.