Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) has issued an upgraded travel warning for citizens considering travel to or currently residing in the United Arab Emirates, citing an increased threat of terrorist attacks amid ongoing instability in the Middle East.

In a statement released Thursday, the NSC highlighted growing concerns about Iranian-backed militant groups—including Hezbollah, Hamas, and global jihadist networks—potentially targeting Israeli and Jewish individuals and sites within the UAE.

“These groups are increasingly motivated to seek revenge in the aftermath of Operation Rising Lion, alongside a rise in anti-Israel rhetoric and pro-Palestinian incitement linked to Operation Iron Swords,” the statement warned.

The advisory also referenced claims made by Hamas accusing Israel of orchestrating a “starvation campaign” in Gaza—allegations tied to Israel’s blockade on humanitarian aid, which the United Nations and relief organizations say is exacerbating food shortages in the Palestinian enclave.

While the travel advisory for the UAE remains at Level 3—urging Israelis to avoid non-essential visits—the NSC stressed that travelers should “seriously reconsider” entering the country, particularly during Jewish holidays and Shabbat, when communal activities are more frequent and potentially more vulnerable to attack.

“Historical patterns show that terror organizations often extend their operations to nearby countries,” the council noted.

Since normalizing diplomatic ties under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, the UAE has seen rapid growth in its Israeli and Jewish populations. But that progress has been tempered by a rise in security concerns.

One particularly high-profile case occurred in November 2024, when Rabbi Zvi Kogan—an Israeli-Moldovan emissary for the Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement—was murdered in Dubai. In March 2025, a UAE court sentenced three men to death, ruling the killing was carried out with terrorist intent.

While the UAE is generally viewed as a safe destination, the NSC emphasized that no country in the region is completely immune to the fallout from Israel’s conflict with Gaza-based groups and tensions with Iran.

Meanwhile, Israel continues to face growing global criticism over its military operations in Gaza and the ongoing blockade, which human rights advocates say is fueling a humanitarian crisis.