Israel issues warning on Australia
Israel has warned its citizens about travelling to Australia and almost 80 other countries over fears they could face anti-Semitism.
The Israeli National Security Council (NSC) raised its travel warning levels on Monday over increased anti-Semitic incidents and attempted attacks against Jews and Israelis around the world.
The level two warning indicates heightened vigilance for several countries in Australia, Western Europe, including the UK, France, Germany and Russia; in South America, Brazil and Argentina.
Travellers are urged to “exercise increased precaution”.
The threat level for countries in Africa, including South Africa and Eritrea, and Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, has been raised to level three, with Israelis urged to reconsider non-essential travel to these countries.
“For Israeli citizens traveling abroad, we recommend choosing their destinations wisely, while exercising recommended precautionary measures wherever they are, and examining their conduct in light of the recommendations,” the NSC said in a statement to their website on Monday.
They advise postponing travel to these countries, checking whether anti-Israel protests and violence have taken place at the destination, staying away from demonstrations and protests and remaining alert while abroad.
They have also urged Israeli residents to avoid “openly displaying their Israeli and Jewish identities” while abroad.
Almost weekly Pro-Palestine rallies have taken place in capital cities across the country since the Israel-Palestine conflict was reignited following Hamas’ October 7 attack.
On a few occasions they have attracted opposing protesters who have broadcasted anti-semitic views.
Three men been were charged after a 45-year-old man was allegedly spat on and assaulted at a pro-Palestinian rally outside Sydney’s Opera House on October 9.
Photographs showed an Israel flag being burned on the ground while a small group were also overheard chant anti-Semitic slogans.
A woman and child shouted “f*** the Jews” while walking past a group of people carrying Israel flags at a rally in Coogee Beach on November 11.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said there was “no place” for antisemitism and Islamophobia in Australian society.
He acknowledged a recent spike in hateful behaviour and urged people to look after each other “in the way in which they go about their legitimate right to express their views.”
“It is really important that for those in the Jewish community and those in the Islamic community, Australians are looking after everyone,” he said.
“That has to be the basis upon which everyone expresses their legitimate right to freedom of expression but to do that in a safe and peaceful way.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said the travel warning reflects a “damning new reality of soaring antisemitism and a volatile security situation at home and abroad”.
“The fact that being identifiably Israeli or Jewish now comes with risks is a national shame,” he said.
“Many families have chosen to cover Jewish symbols, and have warned their children not to mention Israel or anything Jewish in public.”
“We have to confront this hatred and prevent fanatics from ripping our society apart.”
