The United States has posted security warnings in South and Central Asia because of terrorist threats, and Israeli officials issued similar warnings for Muslim countries. The Jewish State remains a much safer place to be during the upcoming Passover holiday.
The Israeli Tourist Ministry is expecting an increase in visitors for Passover, buoyed by Israel's reputation for top security on airplanes while other areas, such as Egyptian resort spots, continue to be at the top of the list of terrorist threats.
The U.S. State Department said that Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and their other off terrorist organizations may use improvised explosive devices, car bombs and rocket attacks to attack American facilities. Both American and Israeli officials warned that terrorists may resort to assassination, carjacking, or kidnappings.
The American advisory comes several days after another suicide attack in Pakistan and an attack on a Pune restaurant frequented by foreign nationals. “American citizens are advised to be alert to the continued possibility of terrorist attacks in India,” the U.S. embassy said Sunday.” It said the Saturday night blast at the Germany Bakery in Pune was a “reminder that terrorists and their sympathizers are capable of attacking targets where U.S. citizens or Westerners are known to congregate or visit”.
The Israeli National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued a warning “in light of Iranian and Hizbullah threats." It advised of the “possible abduction of, and/or attacks on, Israelis abroad, especially regarding businesspeople in Arab and/or Islamic countries.”partly due to Hizbullah accusations that Israel is responsible for the death of its mastermind terrorist Imad Mughniyeh. Iran also has accused Israel of being responsible for the death of a nuclear expert in Tehran.
Specific advise for travelers includes:
--Be especially alert and sensitive regarding unusual phenomena;
-- Absolutely avoid visiting/being present in Arab, Islamic and other countries about which there are travel warnings;
-- Reject tempting or unexpected offers and refuse to accept unexpected gifts and free offers from suspect or unknown sources;
--Reject invitations to unexpected meetings, especially in remote locations and take care to arrive at meetings with reliable companions;
-- Avoid admitting suspect or unexpected visitors to hotel rooms or residences;
--Avoid routine behavior during prolonged stays abroad.