Safe destinations for Jews

A Florida man was arrested on September 19 after allegedly threatening to “hunt Jews” in videos showing firearms and tactical gear. Other recent cases include antisemitic threat letters sent to Jewish targets in South Florida and a man charged after allegedly trying to enter a Philadelphia synagogue and preschool while making antisemitic remarks. In August 2026, a man was charged with federal hate crimes after attacking a congregant and guard at Manhattan's Central Synagogue; the ADL reports antisemitic incidents remain elevated. New York also saw demonstrations around the UN, including opposing rallies; no related violence was reported. These incidents are geographically distinct, so travelers should follow local updates and use added awareness near Jewish institutions and large demonstrations.

Recent reports indicate a significant rise in antisemitic incidents across the UK, with 1,926 cases recorded in the first half of 2026, a 21% increase over the same period in 2025; assaults rose 82% and incidents in schools reached a record high. London experienced a 24% rise, with Barnet borough reporting the highest number of incidents. On September 10, 2026 three Jewish schoolboys were assaulted on a bus in north London, and on September 16, 2026 'Heil Hitler' and swastika graffiti was found in Elstree. On September 20, counter-terrorism police arrested two men over a suspected plot against Manchester's Jewish community ahead of Yom Kippur. The escalation is linked to geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in Iran and the Golders Green stabbing in April 2026, and MI5 has warned of potential attacks targeting Jews. In response, the UK government has allocated over £250 million to enhance security in Jewish communities, deploying additional officers to patrol Jewish neighbourhoods and institutions, with increased police presence around synagogues during the High Holy Days. The Israeli government advises travelers to 'be cautious when traveling' in the UK; given the scale of the increase, Jewish and Israeli travelers are advised to remain vigilant and stay informed about local conditions.

On September 29, a Melbourne council highlighted rising antisemitism and endorsed a local plan for training, reporting guidance, and security improvements at high-risk sites. On September 2, a man in Far North Queensland was charged over alleged antisemitic threats directed at a religious organisation. A Brisbane synagogue-gate ramming was reported in September, but it happened in February; prosecutors withdrew the hate-crime allegation, citing drug-related impairment. Reports point to particular concerns in parts of Melbourne and Queensland, not a uniform national pattern. Australia remains on alert after the December 2025 Bondi Beach terror attack in Sydney that killed 15 people; antisemitic incidents have risen about 270% since 2021. Travelers may wish to stay alert around Jewish institutions and check local advice.

On September 20, a gunman opened fire outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, during Yom Kippur; police later called it a deliberate, hate-motivated attack on the Jewish community. A police officer was critically injured, the gunman died, and worshippers were unharmed. In Toronto, a Jewish journalist reported that demonstrators taunted and intimidated people arriving for a Yom Kippur service. In July 2026, B'nai Brith Canada documented 27 violent antisemitic incidents, and Montreal saw assaults on Hasidic men and a suspected arson at a kosher restaurant. Jewish travelers should expect heightened security around some Jewish sites and events; incidents have been reported in different Ontario cities.

Antisemitic incidents in Germany reached a record 8,725 in 2025, a surge largely attributed to increased far-right activity, and recent incidents have raised further concerns for Jewish and Israeli travelers. On September 13, 2026, a 43-year-old woman was assaulted in Berlin after two men noticed her Star of David necklace, directed antisemitic insults at her, and attacked her with a broken glass bottle. On September 17, 2026, a 37-year-old Afghan man was arrested for attempting to set fire to the Bergische Synagogue in Wuppertal, making antisemitic remarks during his arrest. On September 15, 2026, death threats were made against Charlotte Knobloch, a 93-year-old Holocaust survivor and president of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria, following her criticism of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. On September 22 in Düsseldorf, a man wearing a kippah was beaten and kicked in a suspected antisemitic attack, and prosecutors indicted seven suspected Hamas members over a foiled plot against Jewish and Israeli targets. These events, coupled with the AfD's rising support, contribute to an environment of increased antisemitism in Germany. The Israeli government has issued a medium threat warning for Germany, advising travelers to exercise increased caution; Jewish and Israeli travelers should remain vigilant and stay informed about local conditions.

On September 25, police searched 17 people, including 14 minors, in a neo-Nazi investigation; some suspects allegedly discussed attacking a synagogue and shared bomb-making instructions. In the first half of 2026 Italy recorded 401 antisemitic incidents — a 14% decrease from the same period in 2025 but still roughly three times the 2019-2022 average — including 303 cases of defamation and insults and 42 cases of antisemitic graffiti or displays. In August 2026 a 22-year-old French Jewish tourist wearing a kippah was assaulted twice in two days in Rome, including being pepper-sprayed in Piazza Cairoli and kicked by a group of four who shouted "Free Palestine", and on September 16, 2026 a rabbi was beaten and spat on at a bus stop in Milan; a 20-year-old Tunisian man was arrested on suspicion of religiously motivated violence and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack. A protest against an antisemitism bill in Rome on September 9, 2026 featured Hamas and Hezbollah flags, and a controversial initiative to map Jewish and Israeli tourism was condemned and removed by Italian authorities. Also in August 2026, a WhatsApp community of roughly 300 members linked to Roberto Vannacci's Futuro Nazionale movement was exposed carrying antisemitic and racist content. Italy suspended its defense agreement with Israel in April 2026, reflecting strained relations. The Israeli government advises travellers to Italy to exercise increased caution; visitors should remain vigilant in public areas.

On September 5, three men were placed under formal investigation and detained over a foiled plot to commit violence against the Jewish community. Antisemitic incidents in France continue to rise. In July 2026, over twelve Torah scrolls were stolen in a burglary at the Grand Synagogue of Levallois-Perret, described by local leaders as both criminal and antisemitic. Other recent incidents include a foiled attack targeting a synagogue in Sarcelles that led to multiple arrests, the vandalism of a Holocaust memorial plaque in Paris, an eight-month prison sentence for a Russian man who performed Nazi salutes near a synagogue, death threats against a Jewish couple during a supermarket altercation, and the August 2026 arrest of an Irish man in Avignon for antisemitic threats against an Australian Jewish couple. Pro-Palestinian protests have also disrupted Jewish events. On September 4, an 80-year-old Israeli woman was assaulted in a Paris hotel; Israel's Foreign Ministry said the known circumstances did not indicate an antisemitic motive. The French government has acknowledged a sharp rise in anti-Jewish acts, which accounted for around 53% of all anti-religious acts in 2025, unveiled a national plan against racism and antisemitism in July 2026 with 55 measures to be implemented between 2026 and 2029 that activists criticised as lacking ambition, and the Ministry of the Interior has heightened security around Jewish places of worship for the High Holidays. The Israeli government advises travelers to France to exercise increased caution.

Jewish and Israeli travelers in Spain should exercise increased caution amid a documented rise in antisemitism. The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE) recorded 221 antisemitic incidents in 2025, a 14.5% increase over the previous year, and the Spanish government reported an 86% rise in antisemitic offenses in 2025. In August 2026 French Jewish tourists were attacked by a mob in Barcelona, and a French Jew reported being humiliated, spat on and fearing for his life before a large crowd outside a Barcelona synagogue. In September 2026 far-right activists used Nazi-style salutes at anti-migrant protests and antisemitic chants were reported outside the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid; a Jewish Catalan politician was insulted with an antisemitic slur on September 10, and antisemitic graffiti appeared at a garage used by Jewish residents on September 14. In Granada, a Jewish Argentine writer was removed from a festival over her opposition to a cultural boycott of Israel. In July 2026 a 'Destroy Israel' banner was displayed at the San Fermín festival in Pamplona. Antisemitic graffiti has been found on a Maimonides statue in Cordoba and on homes in Santa Maria and Mallorca, and an Israeli couple experienced panic during a migrant influx in Ceuta. The Israeli government advises travelers to Spain to exercise increased caution; these events, particularly the direct harassment in Barcelona, indicate a concerning environment for Jewish and Israeli visitors.

On September 19, 2026, a far-right rally in The Hague turned violent: demonstrators made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, threw fireworks and projectiles at police, and 24 people were arrested. On September 18 in Amsterdam, police arrested dozens of counter-protesters who defied a ban near a pro-Israel rally. Dutch police recorded 867 antisemitic incidents in 2025, accounting for 26% of all discrimination offenses. On August 14, 2026, the Farmers Defence Force distributed Star of David stickers at a protest in Den Bosch, drawing condemnation from Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Jewish organizations for misusing Holocaust symbols. On August 1, 2026, deceptive flyers containing personal details of Israeli individuals were distributed during WorldPride Amsterdam under the guise of warning about 'war criminals', and on September 9, 2026, protesters sprayed "Boycot Gaza" slogans on the windows of the Dutch parliament building, leading to two arrests. Earlier reporting documented antisemitic chants by soccer fans in The Hague and a thwarted plot to bomb a synagogue, and a study found a persistently elevated level of online antisemitism since October 2023. Since September 22, Dutch rules prohibit bringing in goods from Israeli settlements, including personal belongings. The Israeli government advises travelers to exercise increased caution; avoid demonstrations and follow local police instructions.

Israel’s government prohibits Israelis from entering Iran and advises against flying over its territory. On September 18, a state-backed rally in Tehran included chants of “Death to Israel.” On September 19, Iran executed a man it accused of passing missile-site information to Israel.

In early September, a representative of Greece's Jewish community warned of rising antisemitism. This follows a wave of incidents in August, including a mob attack that injured Israeli tourists in Crete, protests against Israeli cruise ships in Athens and Piraeus, antisemitic graffiti in Heraklion and incitement charges after an 'anti-Zionist' march in Thessaloniki. No confirmed attacks on Jewish or Israeli travelers were reported in the past 30 days. The Israeli Foreign Ministry advises increased caution: avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in tense settings and stay away from demonstrations.

On September 21 in Dublin, pro-Palestinian campaigners protested outside the Irish team’s hotel, urging a boycott of matches against Israel. At the September 27 match in Hungary, Irish players bowed during Israel’s anthem and did not exchange handshakes; no physical attack was reported. These events reflect heightened public opposition to Israel, but the reports reviewed did not establish violence targeting Jews in Ireland. Ireland documented 143 antisemitic incidents between July 2025 and January 2026, and in August 2026 an Israeli i24News crew was attacked in Northern Ireland. Travelers should avoid demonstrations and leave the area if tensions rise.

On September 30, an Israeli man was killed on Koh Phangan; the circumstances remain unclear and investigators are considering a possible ideological motive. Earlier in September, hundreds protested outside Israel’s embassy in Bangkok and near a Jewish New Year gathering in Phuket; the gathering was cancelled after security officials warned the protest could turn violent, and some messages explicitly targeted Jews. Avoid demonstrations and Jewish community events near active protests, monitor local updates, and contact Israeli consular services if threatened. Israel’s advisory assigns level 4 to southern Thailand excluding the islands and level 2 to the rest.

On September 26 in Gothenburg, a man threw red liquid at an Israeli flag at a book-fair booth and was removed by guards and police; an arrest was not confirmed. On September 16, Sweden expelled an Iranian embassy employee amid stated security concerns involving Jewish and Israeli interests, though officials did not disclose the specific activity prompting the move. A Stockholm demonstration against Israeli policy was reported on September 5. These reports point to localized incidents and security concerns, not a confirmed nationwide pattern of violence against Jews. Travelers should avoid demonstrations and use extra awareness near Jewish institutions and high-profile Israel-related events.

On August 29, an unauthorized rally in Basel used the slogan “Death to Zionism”; police stopped a march, checked and ordered away 174 people, and seized a baton and materials bearing Hamas symbols. No targeted violence against Jews was identified in the reviewed reports from this period. Travelers should avoid demonstrations and remain alert near Jewish sites, particularly in Basel.

A family from Israel alleged that a food stand in Bad Hofgastein, Salzburg, refused to serve them because they were Jewish; the vendor disputes this, and authorities opened administrative penalty proceedings. At the Austria–Israel football match in Linz on September 24, pro-Palestinian protests and an anti-Israel banner were reported, but police said it passed without incident. Austria recorded a record 1,532 antisemitic incidents in 2025, and 2026 saw a knife attack in Vienna and swastika stickers on Salzburg's Chabad house. The Israeli government advises increased caution; stay alert near Jewish sites and demonstrations.

On September 19, Colombia formalized its withdrawal from South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice; that day, the president also visited a synagogue in Barranquilla. No credible reports of targeted antisemitic violence or anti-Israel protests affecting Jewish or Israeli travelers in Colombia were found from the past 30 days. These developments point to closer official ties, but travelers should stay alert and avoid demonstrations related to Israel.

On September 13, the U.S. Mission urged increased caution near Jewish religious sites and Israeli community locations in the UAE ahead of Rosh Hashanah; the notice reported no attack. No credible reports of antisemitic violence or anti-Jewish protests in the country surfaced for the past 30 days. Travelers should remain alert around Jewish and Israeli sites. The Israeli government advises avoiding nonessential travel.

Singapore has maintained a stable environment for Jewish and Israeli travelers over the past year, with no significant antisemitic incidents reported, and the Israeli government lists it as 'safe to travel' with normal precautions. The authorities act firmly against conduct that could disturb racial and religious harmony: in July 2026 two members of the British band Massive Attack were investigated and barred from re-entering Singapore after displaying a Palestinian flag and expressing support for Palestine during a concert, and officials cautioned against importing foreign politics that could undermine social cohesion. Separately, in August 2026 Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs restated that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law and called for a halt to expansion plans. These positions have not translated into hostility toward Jews or Israelis; diplomatic relations with Israel remain positive and the Jewish community is well integrated.

On September 25, a Russian drone strike on a Kyiv apartment building killed a 14-year-old Israeli boy and injured his mother; reports give no indication the family was targeted for being Israeli or Jewish. Russian aerial attacks have also affected multiple regions. Separately, an Israeli-Ukrainian pilgrim returning from Uman was detained after authorities said he was flagged in Ukraine’s military records; dual citizens should check service and exit obligations before travel. No verified antisemitic violence targeting Jews in Ukraine was identified in the past month. Avoid conflict-affected areas, monitor air alerts, and plan for sudden disruption.