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Travel warnings increased for popular destinations

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Travel warnings increased for popular destinations

The National Security Council (NSC) announced on Sunday that it is updating travel warnings for the Maldives, Armenia and Brazil. The NSC statement said that “as part of the ongoing work to examine the threats from terrorist elements to Israelis abroad, the threat levels in three countries are being updated:

The Maldives – The travel warning has been raised from Level 2 (occasional threat) to Level 3 (moderate threat). This is due to the presence of terrorist supporters on the islands alongside increasing expressions of hostility toward Israelis and Jews. It is recommended to avoid non-essential travel to the Maldives.

Armenia – Travel warning raised from Level 1 (no warning) to Level 2 (occasional threat). This is due to the increased threat to Israelis/Jews in Armenia from terrorist figures. It should be emphasized that this is not a call to leave or avoid the country, but to take increased precautions.

Brazil – Reduced from Level 2 (occasional threat) to Level 1 (no warning), except for the border triangle between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

Given the increased threat, the NSC recommends that all Israelis currently in the mentioned countries make sure to follow these guidelines:

1. Avoid places identified with Israel/Jews;

2. Remain extra alert in public places (including restaurants, hotels, bars, etc.)

3. Conceal anything that could identify you as Israeli;

4. Be cooperative with local security forces, follow their instructions, inform the local police immediately if you have experienced or witnessed terrorist activity, and then notify the NSC’s travel alert hotline, at +972-2-666-7444.

5. Avoid posting travel details and photos on social media, before and during the visit, including in groups focused on overseas travel.

6. As a general rule, we recommend making your social media profiles private and avoid sharing.

7. Avoid sharing any details that indicate to your service in the security forces on social media and in conversations with strangers.

Israeli security forces continue to work with all relevant partners to remove the threat.

Despite being unwelcome, Israelis continue to come to the Maldives

Israelis continue to visit the Maldives despite the hostility that prevails there among government officials, Ynet first reported on Wednesday. In June, the government of the Maldives, a Sunni Muslim country, dramatically announced that it would ban Israelis from entering its territory following the war in Gaza. The entry ban was not implemented, due to concerns that the decision would harm Israeli Arabs and ensuing American pressure.

The Israelis were not deterred, and approximately 500 tourists visited the Maldives during the so-called ban between June and October. In 2023, approximately 10,966 Israelis visited the country, a decrease from the peak number of 15,748 tourists in 2022.

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