US warns citizens to avoid Jewish and Israeli sites in UAE over terror threat
Embassy cites credible threat to synagogues and community centres as Israel raises its own travel alert
The US Embassy in the United Arab Emirates has urged American citizens to steer clear of locations linked to the Jewish and Israeli communities, citing information indicating a heightened security threat.
In a rare alert issued Friday, the embassy advised Americans to avoid synagogues, Jewish institutions, Israel-affiliated venues, and gatherings.
The updated guidance follows a State Department advisory earlier this week urging US travellers to the UAE to exercise increased caution due to the risk of terrorism and potential missile or drone attacks.
The warning comes after Israel’s National Security Council raised its travel advisory for the UAE to Level 3 last Thursday – the second-highest on its scale. The NSC urged Israeli travellers to avoid visibly Jewish or Israeli symbols, limit participation in communal events, and stay away from known Israeli or Jewish sites.
In response, Israel evacuated most diplomatic staff from the UAE, though its embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai remain operational in coordination with local authorities.
The alerts reflect growing concern over attempts by terrorist groups – including Hamas, Hezbollah, Iranian proxies, and global jihadist factions – to target Israeli and Jewish interests in the region. Security officials believe these threats have intensified following the escalation of conflict with Iran and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The US and Israeli advisories both warned that Jewish holidays and Shabbat periods are seen as particularly high-risk times for attacks.
Israel’s National Security Council also noted that terrorist groups are increasingly attempting to destabilise neighbouring countries and exploit regional tensions in order to pressure Israel diplomatically.
The warnings come despite historically close relations between Israel and the UAE, which normalised ties under the Abraham Accords. The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated as part of the Abrahamic Family House, remains a symbol of that agreement – but now features in the list of sites both countries are urging travellers to avoid.
There have been no specific incidents reported in recent days, but officials say the alert level will remain under review.
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