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🇮🇱 Israel /Crime & Justice

Israel's Foreign Ministry reports record 45 antisemitic incidents against Israelis abroad last year

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Israel's Foreign Ministry recorded a record 45 antisemitic incidents against Israelis abroad in the past year, including physical assaults and verbal abuse.
  • The incidents involved Israelis being identified by their nationality and targeted for harassment, threats, and attacks in various countries.
  • This data, collected via the new TravIL app, highlights the need for consular assistance, which processed nearly 200,000 cases in the first half of 2026.

Israel's Foreign Ministry has documented a record 45 antisemitic incidents targeting Israelis abroad over the past year, according to its new "Map of Distress." Ministry officials reported a significant increase in such events, which included physical assaults, fights, spitting, verbal abuse, and denial of service in hotels, cafes, and restaurants.

"Over the past year we have seen a phenomenon we had never encountered on this scale before: Israelis contacting us after experiencing antisemitic incidents while abroad," said Deputy Director-General for Consular Affairs Eli Yifrah. He noted that Israelis were identified by their nationality or visible Israeli symbols, becoming targets of harassment, threats, and even physical attacks in several countries.

Over the past year we have seen a phenomenon we had never encountered on this scale before: Israelis contacting us after experiencing antisemitic incidents while abroad.

— Eli YifrahDeputy Director-General for Consular Affairs Eli Yifrah described the unprecedented scale of antisemitic incidents targeting Israelis abroad.

Alongside these 45 antisemitic cases, the ministry's consular services handled a vast number of other incidents. These included 384 cases of missing persons, 292 arrests of Israeli citizens, 196 hospitalizations, 149 rescue operations from dangerous areas, and 23 Israelis involved in natural disasters. In total, consular systems processed nearly 200,000 cases in the first half of 2026, including arranging the return of 846 deceased Israelis for burial.

The data was released following the recent launch of the TravIL emergency app, designed to assist travelers and streamline emergency responses. The app features a secure digital document vault and a location-based emergency button that connects directly to the ministry's Situation Room. The ministry stated that the figures underscore the app's necessity for preventing and managing emergencies abroad.

In several countries, there were reports of Israelis being identified because of their nationality or visible Israeli symbols and becoming targets of harassment, threats and even physical attacks.

— Eli YifrahDeputy Director-General for Consular Affairs Eli Yifrah explained how Israelis became targets of harassment and attacks abroad.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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