Israel: Increased security during Hannukah (Dec. 12-20)

Event

Hannukah, the Festival of Light in Judaism, will take place from Tuesday evening, December 12, to Wednesday evening, December 20. The eight-day celebration period is marked by festive customs and symbolic events.

The terrorist threat typically rises in Israel during sensitive periods, including during religious holidays. An increased security presence, especially around border areas, religious sites, and in the city of Jerusalem, is to be expected. 

Advice

Individuals in Israel are advised to anticipate a heightened security and avoid any demonstrations and large public gatherings during this period as a precaution.

More generally due to the ongoing terrorist threat, travelers in Israel and throughout the region are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and to remain vigilant when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, etc.). As a reminder, several Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Lebanese, Syrian, and Egyptian borders.