Latest news with #IsraeliEmbassies
Telegraph
a day ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
British Jews warned of ‘revenge' attacks after missile strikes on Iran
British Jews have been warned to be vigilant and follow 'strict security measures' in the wake of Israel's strikes on Iran 's nuclear nuclear facilities and military bases and the subsequent aerial response from the Islamic Republic. The crisis has left Jewish leaders in the UK concerned about potential attacks closer to home. Synagogues have been placed on alert, while Israeli embassies around the world were closed due to increased threats. Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UK Lawyers for Israel, told The Telegraph: 'Israel's actions are extremely justified, especially when you have a country like Iran which repeatedly states the mantra 'death to Israel' and is developing nuclear weapons and trying to cover it up. 'We are aware that a number of colleagues in the UK and other countries have been targets of intended or potential attack by Iranian agents that were foiled by security services. We are very grateful to the police and security services for all they do to keep ourselves and our colleagues safe.' Protesters waived Iranian flags in London on Saturday, with crowds chanting 'Stop bombing Gaza, stop bombing Iran'. The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to Israel, and said: 'The situation could escalate quickly and could pose significant risks, including missile fire.' The Community Security Trust (CST), which works to protect UK Jews from terrorism and anti-Semitism, said that the 'deep threat from Iran is central to our planning and our operations', but also warned security measures have been at a high level for more than 18 months since the Oct 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas. They added: 'CST strongly requests that our community be vigilant and follows the strict security measures that are in place at communal buildings, events and areas.' Meanwhile, Israel's National Security Council (NSC) warned Israelis abroad to 'avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public spaces'. They added that it was likely that 'terrorist elements will seek to carry out acts of revenge against Israeli and Jewish targets around the world, including civilians'. Israel's foreign ministry also recommended that all Israeli citizens who are overseas fill out a form detailing their whereabouts. Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, called on the UK Government to 'maintain its active support for Israel's defence against the murderous Iranian regime'. He added: 'We express our deep solidarity with the Israeli people at this time, and pray for their safety and security. 'We affirm Israel's right to defend itself against threats in the region. There can be no doubt about Iran's intentions to acquire nuclear weapons capability. 'This poses a grave and intolerable threat to Israel, but also to the security and stability of the region and the world.' The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) said its thoughts were with all those awaiting incoming fire from Iran. A spokesman added: 'We were grateful that successive UK governments provided life-saving support to help defend Israel from Iranian attacks, and we call on the UK to support its ally in the fight against a common threat.' They warned the Iranian regime poses a 'lethal threat, not only to Israelis and Jews worldwide but to British people here in the UK... such a regime must never be allowed to possess nuclear weapons'. The warnings come as the CST recorded 3,528 anti-Semitic incidents in the UK last year, the second-highest annual total ever reported to it, after a peak the previous year. Rhetoric related to the ongoing Middle East conflict featured in 1,844 (52 per cent) of anti-Semitic incidents reported to the CST in 2024. In at least 355 of the incidents, the phrase 'Free Palestine' was said to have been used in an anti-Semitic way, by being targeted 'at Jewish people or institutions in a hostile manner simply because they were Jewish'.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Israeli embassies in US, UK among several closing worldwide
Israeli embassies in the United States and the United Kingdom were among several to close around the globe on Friday following deadly Israeli strikes in Iran. "In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed, and consular services will not be provided," read a message posted by the country's embassies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and France. AFP
