Israel’s National Security Council has issued its most severe travel warning for Israelis abroad ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, citing heightened risk from Iran and allied groups targeting Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide.

High-risk transit and destination spots include Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates, with suspected Iranian security actors active in these environments.

Israelis are advised not to travel to Iraq (including Kurdistan), Yemen, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon, with other destinations such as Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya, and Algeria also flagged as high risk.

Travel and tourism sectors are preparing for possible disruptions during the September period, including potential flight path changes or airspace closures if hostilities intensify.

Travelers should monitor official channels for updates, register with consular services where available, and assess risk on a destination-by-destination basis.

Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah and Hamas, are viewed as significant threats with plots and operational networks extending into Europe and beyond.

Major governments, including the UK and the US, have updated travel advisories in response to regional dynamics, signaling a broader global risk environment.

The threat environment is widening due to online radicalization, anti-Israel rhetoric, and visible Israeli targets, beyond traditional terrorist organizations.

The alert notes potential flight disruptions and airspace closures amid regional tensions, with travel patterns shifting in the Eastern Mediterranean and Gulf regions.

The advisory is expected to stay in place through the upcoming holiday season, affecting leisure and business travel and elevating risk assessments for travelers of all nationalities.

ISIS and al-Qaeda are calling for attacks on Jewish targets across multiple continents, adding to the broader threat landscape.

The third anniversary of the October 7 attacks is seen as a sensitive trigger date for protests and potential violence near embassies, Jewish institutions, universities, and urban centers.