Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has significantly heightened its travel advisory for citizens journeying to or residing in the United Arab Emirates, citing a substantial and growing risk of terrorist attacks within the Gulf State. This sharpened warning underscores the volatile security landscape impacting regional stability and the safety of Israeli travelers abroad.
The NSC’s official statement, released on Thursday, explicitly named specific terrorist organizations—including elements linked to Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Global Jihad—as posing a direct threat to Israeli targets. These groups are reportedly driven by an intensified motivation for retribution following Israel’s recent military campaigns in the broader Middle East, particularly those aimed at Gaza.
The advisory further highlights the escalating anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian incitement that has amplified since the commencement of ongoing conflicts, exacerbating the desire for revenge. This heightened motivation is also attributed to what is described as a “starvation campaign” in Gaza, referring to the protracted Israeli military blockade on aid entering the Palestinian enclave, which has drawn considerable international condemnation and pressure.
Amidst these developments, Israel continues to face mounting international scrutiny and demands over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. The months-long restrictions on essential supplies have led to severe shortages, prompting urgent calls from global bodies and nations for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to the besieged territory.
The UAE holds a unique position in this complex regional dynamic, having become the most prominent Arab nation in three decades to normalize relations with Israel in 2020 under the historic Abraham Accords. Since the signing of these U.S.-brokered agreements, the Israeli and Jewish community within the UAE has expanded considerably, becoming more visible and integrated into the local fabric.
However, the NSC’s warning emphasizes a critical lesson from “past experience,” indicating that terrorist organizations frequently concentrate their operational efforts in countries neighboring their primary targets. This strategic pivot aims to circumvent direct confrontation while still achieving their objectives through attacks on perceived enemy interests in third-party nations.
Consequently, the travel alert for the UAE remains at Level 3, advising Israeli citizens to strongly reconsider non-essential travel to the Gulf state. This stringent recommendation urges extreme caution and vigilance for any Israelis who choose to visit, reinforcing the perceived elevated risk. Furthermore, a recent ruling by the Abu Dhabi Federal Appeal Court, which determined the November killing of Zvi Kogan—a representative of the Orthodox Jewish organization Chabad in the UAE—was committed with a “terrorist purpose,” underscores the concrete nature of these threats.
