JERUSALEM, Israel — Following large-scale attacks launched by Israel on Iran, statements posted on Israeli embassy websites worldwide on Friday confirmed the closure of their diplomatic missions.
The move comes with a strong recommendation for Israeli citizens abroad to maintain heightened awareness and avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public.
The official statements indicated that consular services would be suspended indefinitely, and urged citizens to cooperate fully with local security services if they encountered any hostile activity. No specific timeframe was provided for how long the embassies would remain closed.
An inquiry to the Berlin embassy yielded no further details, and Israel’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Israelis residing overseas were encouraged to complete an online form to update the foreign ministry with their current locations. This protocol had also been implemented previously, notably after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, to facilitate the return of reservists and organize rescue flights.
The statement unequivocally read: “In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided.”
In response to the escalating tensions, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who held discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, confirmed that Germany is increasing protective measures for Jewish and Israeli sites within its borders.
A Reuters witness observed a notable increase in visible security outside the Great Synagogue of Stockholm, with a police van and car stationed nearby.
Earlier, Israel had announced that it conducted attacks on nuclear facilities and missile factories in Iran, and claimed to have neutralized a number of military commanders. This action is framed as a potentially prolonged operation aimed at preventing Tehran from developing an atomic weapon.
Adding to the international discourse, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran’s resistance to U.S. demands in nuclear program restriction talks had provoked the attacks. He urged Iran to reach an agreement, issuing a stark warning that “with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal.”
