Counter-Terrorism Bureau Issues Holiday Warnings

JERUSALEM, Israel -- Israel's National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau cautioned Israelis planning trips abroad for the spring holidays, beginning with Passover in less than two weeks (April 3-10) through Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) on May 24.

This year's report, "based on solid and reliable information," reflecting "tangible threats," cited terror attacks in Belgium, France, Denmark, Canada and Australia over the past year that "raise concern of additional attacks against Western targets, including Israeli and Jewish targets, by veterans of the fighting in Syria and Iraq, who are affiliated with Global Jihad (including Islamic State and by local elements inspired by the terrorist organizations."

The report cited Boko Haram in Nigeria, al-Shabaab in Somalia and al Qaeda-affiliated terrorists in North African countries.

As in past years, the bureau warned Israelis against vacationing at Red Sea resorts in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.

The report listed countries with "very high concrete threats" and "high concrete threats" to "basic concrete threats" and "continuing potential threats."

It also warned of Iran and Hezbollah's global terrorism campaign targeting Israelis and Jews abroad.

"Travelers and tourists are called upon to exercise due caution at all times," the advisory concluded.