Israel has instructed all its embassies across the world to shut down while also urging Israeli nationals abroad to remain vigilant and avoid displaying Jewish symbols in public. Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued the guidelines amid fears of a retaliatory strike from Iran against Israel following a large-scale coordinated airstrike on Friday on Iranian military targets.
Israeli diplomatic missions, including all consular services, will be suspended, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced. No details were provided regarding the duration of the closures. The ministry urged Israeli citizens to cooperate with local security services should they encounter hostile activity.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that Germany is increasing security at Jewish and Israeli sites across the country.
Meanwhile, security has been visibly heightened outside Stockholm’s Great Synagogue, with police vehicles stationed near the building, according to a Reuters eyewitness.
According to the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s instructions to the citizens abroad, they should fill out a form informing the ministry of their current location and status.
A similar form was made available by the ministry following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, in order to coordinate the return of reservists and organize rescue flights.
