Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) issued a rare advisory on Monday, urging citizens overseas to avoid displaying national symbols and exercise heightened caution ahead of anticipated pro-Palestinian protests worldwide. The warning follows escalating tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas war, now in its 18th month, which has seen a surge in violence targeting Jewish and Israeli communities globally.
The NSC stated it had tracked “widespread online calls” by pro-Palestinian groups to organize demonstrations on Tuesday, warning that such gatherings could devolve into violence. “Terror supporters or lone actors may exploit these events to carry out attacks,” the council cautioned, advising Israelis to steer clear of protests, refrain from visibly identifying with Israeli symbols, and adhere to local security directives.
The alert coincides with a Hamas call for Palestinians in the West Bank to stage “angry marches” on Tuesday, particularly on university campuses, condemning Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a “war of extermination.” In a Telegram statement, Hamas official Abdel Rahman Shadid urged student-led mobilization to “stop the genocide,” referencing the group’s term for Israel’s offensive, which it launched in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault. During that attack, Hamas militants killed approximately 1,200 people and abducted 251 others, an event the group glorifies as the “Al-Aqsa Flood.”
Hamas also demanded an escalation of “all forms of resistance” against Israeli operations in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem. While the NSC’s advisory did not explicitly cite Hamas’ latest appeal, it highlighted a pattern of rising antisemitic and anti-Israel incidents since October 2023. Notable examples include a November 2023 mob attack in Amsterdam, where Israeli soccer fans were chased through streets, injuring 10 and forcing hundreds into lockdown.
The NSC’s warning underscores heightened anxieties as pro-Palestinian activism intensifies. In recent months, student groups at Western universities have organized protests, vigils, and lectures, with some events devolving into clashes or harassment of Jewish students. Last year, Hamas repeatedly called for global “days of rage,” a tactic mirrored by activists marking the October 7 anniversary.
The advisory follows Hamas’ August 2024 call for demonstrations after the assassination of its leader Ismail Haniyeh—a figurehead in the group’s political wing. Israel has not commented on the incident.
As tensions persist, Israeli authorities emphasize vigilance, urging citizens abroad to report threats and avoid conflict zones. With protests expected to multiply, the NSC’s rare directive reflects a stark reality: for many Israelis, the war’s reverberations extend far beyond Gaza’s borders.
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