ISIS threaten more attacks
Notice to Israelis: Remain vigilant while traveling abroad
Despite having no concrete threats of terror attacks, Counter-Terrorism Bureau urges Israelis to be careful when traveling abroad during Christmas season, particularly in crowded places.
Israel's Counter-Terrorism Bureau has published a "notice to the public" over the week calling on Israelis to remain vigilant while traveling abroad, particularly during the Christmas season, in light of recent terror attacks perpetrated by Islamic State terrorists.
According to the notice, Israelis must be on alert while visiting crowded places, including tourist spots, stadiums, culture centers, shopping centers, hotels, airports and public transportation terminals.
The noticed was published less than a month after the series of terror attacks in Paris that claimed the lives of 130 people, and the massacre of 14 people in California, which was committed by Islamic State supporters.
Police in Paris following the terror attacks (Photo: AP)
The notice is meant to serve as a "general message" to the population rather than a specific travel warning. The Counter-Terrorism Bureau only posted the notice on its website, and did not post it on its Facebook page or release it as a statement to the press as it usually does with new travel warnings. The Foreign Ministry also did not include the notice in its list of travel warnings to the public.
The notice refers to all destinations abroad, rather than specific countries. It is not part of a concrete threat, rather a general warning.
"During the months of November and December, there has been an increase in the level of boldness (in characteristics and scope) of terror attacks across the world, committed by global jihad organizations, particularly the Islamic State. At the same time, the organization continues issuing statements regarding its intention to continue targeting the countries that participate in the fighting against it in Syria and Iraq," the notice stated.
"In light of the aforementioned, and despite the lack of concrete information on intentions to commit an attack, the Counter-Terrorism Bureau seeks to emphasize to the public the need for high vigilance during travels abroad."
