There is an increasing concern for the safety of Israelis traveling to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt, as the Iranian threat to Israelis in Turkey refuses to ebb, Channel 13 News reported Sunday.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Citing unnamed Israeli security officials, the report said that while the threat to Israeli tourists in the Gulf and across the Middle East is not concrete, it could soon become imminent, especially if "Tehran gets desperate" for reprisal.
Iran is seeking to retaliate against the recent mysterious deaths of Iranian scientists and top Revolutionary Guard officers, which the regime blames on Israel. Last week, Turkish media outlets exposed an Iranian ring that planned to carry out attacks against Israelis in the country, particularly in Istanbul – a favorite destination for Israelis there.
The National Security Council's Counterterrorism Bureau raised its travel warning for Istanbul to the highest level possible last week. The Level 4 travel advisory stipulates that Israelis should not travel to Istanbul, and any Israelis currently there should leave immediately.
"I would recommend Israelis not go there, and if they go they should take extra care," an unnamed diplomatic source also was quoted in the report, referring to travel to the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said over the weekend that Israel obtained intelligence that several Iranian terrorist squads were actively trying to "hunt Israelis" through social media or identify them at major tourist sites in Istanbul to abduct or kill them.
"Israel is working to foil the Iranians' attempts to carry out an attack and is preparing to respond with force in the face of any threat to Israeli citizens everywhere," he said.
"Anyone targeting Israelis aboard will pay a price," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned Sunday, during the weekly cabinet meeting. "We are witnessing Iranian attempts to harm Israelis overseas. Israel's defense establishment is working to stop terrorist attacks before they can be carried out. We will continue to target those who send terrorists and those behind them, as well.
"We have a new rule – if you send them [terrorists] you will pay for it," the prime minister asserted.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
