Ahead of October 7 anniversary, Israel warns citizens abroad to stay alert

Israel's National Security Council (NSC) has told Israelis travelling or living overseas to be more watchful in the days around the third anniversary of October 7, saying the risk of attempts to harm Israelis and Jews abroad has grown. In a public message issued on October 6, 2026, the council said it also expects demonstrations and riots around the date.

According to the NSC, terrorist organisations regard the anniversary as an important milestone. The statement singles out Iran and its proxies, Hamas, and factions it describes as Global Jihad. Alongside the warning, the council set out a list of steps it wants the public to take, ranging from caution on social media to staying away from several countries in the region altogether.

What the council is asking travellers to do

The NSC message lists the following requests:

• Do not publish travel plans or movements abroad on social media before or during a trip.
• Do not travel to countries under a Level 4 travel warning, which the council names as Jordan, Qatar, Somaliland and Egypt, with the Sinai Peninsula specifically included.
• In countries under a Level 3 warning, limit the use of Hebrew in crowded places.
• Keep clear of demonstrations and large gatherings.
• Avoid social media posts that show service in Israel's security forces.
• In an emergency, turn to local security forces first.

The council also published a Travel Alert Hotline, +972 2 6667444, which it says operates 24/7 and handles terror-related matters only.

What the National Security Council is

The NSC is the body within the Israeli Prime Minister's Office that coordinates national security policy. Among its public-facing roles, it issues the travel warnings that tell Israelis how dangerous the government considers a given country to be. Level 4 is the most severe category in that system and amounts to advice not to visit at all; Level 3 indicates a significant threat but stops short of advising against travel. The NSC regularly issues heightened-alert messages ahead of Jewish holidays and politically sensitive dates.

Why October 7 matters

October 7 is the date of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza. For Israelis it has become a national day of mourning and remembrance, and for supporters of the groups named in the NSC statement it has become a symbolic date. The council's message frames the anniversary as a moment when both organised attacks and street protests are more likely, which is why its advice covers personal security as well as staying away from crowds.

Several of the precautions reflect concerns Israeli authorities have raised for some time. Advice about not posting military service online relates to fears that personal details shared on social media could make individuals identifiable targets. Guidance on speaking Hebrew in public is aimed at reducing how visible Israelis are in crowded places in countries the government already rates as higher risk.

The countries named

Jordan and Egypt both share borders with Israel and have formal peace treaties with it, and both are traditionally popular with Israeli tourists, the Sinai Peninsula in particular. Qatar has served as a mediator between Israel and Hamas. Somaliland is a self-declared state in the Horn of Africa. The statement does not explain why each country carries the highest warning, and it does not list which countries fall under Level 3.

What the statement does not say

The NSC message does not cite any specific plot, intelligence report or incident behind the heightened warning, and it does not say whether the threat is concentrated in particular cities or regions. It does not state how long the elevated alert will remain in force after the anniversary. It does not name the Level 3 destinations where it advises limiting Hebrew. No other organisation's reporting was available for this article, so the threat assessment rests on the council's own statement. The message also notes that where it differs from the law, the law takes precedence.