In light of recent developments, Israeli citizens in the Arugam Bay area of Sri Lanka are being urged to conceal their Jewish identity and avoid large gatherings. This advisory comes from Israel’s national security council, which has warned of a potential terrorist threat targeting tourist hotspots in the southern part of the island.
Hannah Ellis-Petersen, reporting from Delhi, shares that the council received information from Sri Lankan authorities about a “terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches.” While local police have not detailed the nature of these threats or their source, it is clear that they pertain specifically to Israelis residing in or visiting Sri Lanka.
In response to these warnings, the Israeli security council has classified Arugam Bay as a level four threat and recommended that citizens in the area take precautions to safeguard their identity, including avoiding congregating in large groups. “The Israeli security establishment is in close contact with the security authorities in Sri Lanka and is closely monitoring the situation,” the council stated.
The advisory extends to Israelis throughout Sri Lanka, advising them to exercise caution and avoid public gatherings. Sri Lanka’s acting inspector general of police, Priyantha Weerasooriya, confirmed that intelligence regarding potential threats was first received on October 7. “We had intelligence reports indicating an attack could target some foreign nationals,” he explained. After thorough discussions at a security council meeting, operational instructions were issued. Consequently, hundreds of police officers and intelligence officials have been deployed, establishing roadblocks and enhancing security near places of worship.
On Wednesday, the US embassy in Sri Lanka also issued a warning to Israeli travelers, citing “credible information” regarding an attack aimed at popular tourist locations in Arugam Bay. Following suit, the UK and Australia updated their travel advisories for Sri Lanka.
Despite the current turmoil, Sri Lanka—an island reliant on tourism—has been striving to recover from the downturn brought on by the pandemic, actively seeking to attract international visitors, especially from Israel, by offering extended visas. However, the influx of Israeli tourists and businesses in areas like Arugam Bay has reportedly led to rising tensions, particularly with visible Hebrew signage in shops.
Local sentiments have been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Gaza, resulting in calls from some Muslim community members to boycott Israeli businesses in the region. In a pointed statement on social media platform X, local MP Rehan Jayawickreme accused Israeli businesses of illegal operations in Sri Lanka, warning that their actions pose a significant security risk to the country’s tourism recovery efforts. “To those Israelis fuelling this instability, let me make one thing clear: you cannot forcefully and illegally occupy our lands as you have done elsewhere,” he stated, urging respect for Sri Lankan laws.
Sri Lanka’s history with terrorist attacks on tourists is a haunting one; the 2019 Easter bombings that targeted luxury hotels and churches resulted in the deaths of 270 people, including 45 foreigners. The case remains unresolved, clouded by allegations of political interference.
In response to the increasing number of tourists coming to Sri Lanka, a police statement indicated that a special strategy has been created to ensure their safety, taking into account the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
