Israel warns citizens in Thailand of plans to attack them

(JNS) — Israeli authorities on Tuesday warned Israeli nationals in Thailand to remain alert and avoid public Jewish gatherings and events, citing new information regarding possible attacks. 

The warning follows reports of plans to attack Israelis at a full-moon party on Nov. 15 in Ko Pha Ngan, an island south of Bangkok, Channel 12 reported. The island is a popular travel destination for Israelis. 

Thai and Israeli security officials have thwarted several attempted attacks already, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Mossad intelligence agency and Israel’s National Security Council.

“Following recent information and the increasing fear of an attack on Israelis and Jews across Thailand, the National Security Council urges Israelis in Thailand to heighten their alertness and heed updates,” the NSC warned via its website.

The NSC advises avoiding Israeli community or Jewish events; hiding signs that could identify one as Israeli or Jewish; avoiding sharing travel plans on social media and alerting local security as to any suspicious events.

“Since Oct. 7, Iran and its proxies have increased their efforts to attack Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide,” the statement said, referring to Hamas’s invasion of southern Israel last year. 

The current travel advisory for Thailand remains unchanged, despite the warning.

According to Axios, Thai government officials in 2022 notified their Israeli counterparts that Iran was still committed to its decision not to conduct attacks against Israeli targets in Thailand.

Last month, the NSC urged Israelis to leave the island nation of Sri Lanka for fear of attack.