“In light of terrorist threats by Al-Qaeda in India,” the warning reads, “a concrete threat now exists specifically for the Indian State of Goa, which hosts many tourists, among them Israelis, during late December and over the civil New Year. Those traveling to Goa in the next few weeks will be under serious threat of Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks.”
Goa, an extremely popular destination among Israeli backpackers on the western coast of India, boasts pastoral beaches, accessible villages eager to host vacationers, and a legendary night life filled with parties, revelry and drug experimentation.
The region has several Jewish and Israeli centers, such as Beit Chabad centers, Bayit Yehudi Jewish houses and a drug rehabilitation center run by Israel’s anti-drug authority.
The Foreign Ministry is disseminating the advisory to traveling Israelis, warning them to avoid staying in Goa State during the upcoming weeks.
Such warnings have been issued prior to attacks in Sinai, though they are often ignored by the vast majority of Israeli travelers.