Counter-Terrorism Bureau Warns Israelis to Avoid Turkey

JERUSALEM, Israel – It's that time again when many Israeli families make travel plans for the spring holidays. With Passover less than two weeks away, the government's Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued warnings for potentially unsafe destinations.

Turkey tops the list of countries Israelis should avoid. Despite Turkey's recent announcements that resumption of diplomatic ties with Israel – severed following the infamous Mavi Marmara confrontation in 2010 – is close, it's a dangerous destination. Last week, Israel raised the level to the highest possible concrete threat level.

Following a suicide bombing in Istanbul in March, in which three Israeli tourists were killed, authorities warned that ISIS was plotting to kill Jewish schoolchildren.  At that point they had already raised the alert level, warning Israelis to stay away from Turkey.

"We recommend to avoid visiting Turkey and to leave the country immediately, particularly in major cities and holiday resorts in light of the increased severity of the week's security warnings," YNet quoted one counterterrorism official.

"The present danger posed against all Israelis and westerners exists throughout Turkey," he said, stressing the travel warning has "no connection whatsoever" with the diplomatic situation.

"Anyone who has booked a holiday to Turkey – and we receive hundreds of calls – we recommend they cancel their holiday and change their destination," he said, adding that travel agencies have been asked to help Israelis change to a different destination without incurring service charges.

Turkey, meanwhile, is far from the only country Israelis should avoid.

Iran, the bureau warned, and its Lebanese-based proxy, Hezbollah, continue to threaten Israelis and Jews worldwide. The bureau provides practical advice, as it does every year, as well. Israelis were told to avoid clothing or jewelry that would identify them as Jewish and not to speak Hebrew in public.

The semi-annual warning lists many other destinations, categorizing the danger for concrete threats as very high, high or basic. It also lists ongoing potential threats.

Very high concrete threats: Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, Somalia

High concrete threats: Algeria, Djibouti, Mauritania, Tunisia, Burkina-faso, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Malaysia, Mali, Pakistan, Niger, Turkey, Togo

Basic concrete threats: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates

Continuing potential threats: Azerbaijan, Morocco, Oman, Kenya and Nigeria