Israel NSC warns against Passover gatherings — Jewish sites in Azerbaijan, Turkey, Gulf states flagged as threat targets

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israelis and Jews to avoid celebrating Passover and other upcoming Jewish and Israeli holidays in public or open spaces without adequate security measures. The National Security Council issued a parallel warning against participating in Jewish events or frequenting Jewish sites in countries bordering Iran, specifically naming Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Gulf states. The warnings extend the threat perception of the conflict beyond its primary military theatres to civilian diaspora populations in Iran's geographic neighborhood. Azerbaijan shares a long border with Iran and has a significant Jewish population; Turkey hosts multiple Jewish community institutions; Gulf states have seen proxy attacks on neutral territory in this conflict (Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia). The Passover holiday begins at sundown on April 12, 2026. The warning is consistent with Israeli security advisories issued since October 7, 2023, but the specific naming of Gulf countries — currently under Iran proxy attacks — adds operational weight to this particular advisory.