- Jul 1, 2018
- 2,461
Following a renewed assessment of the regional security environment, the Government of Israel determined that the protective posture surrounding foreign diplomatic missions in Israel should be increased. The assessment took into consideration heightened regional tensions, the recent attack against the United States Embassy in Türkiye, and growing political tensions surrounding developments related to the Oslo Accords framework.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, and relevant Israeli security authorities concluded that additional protection was warranted. As a result, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Israel Border Police increased its security presence around designated foreign embassies and diplomatic facilities.
Additional Shin Bet and Border Police personnel arrived at selected locations wearing standard protective and tactical equipment appropriate to their assignments. Their equipment included protective body armour, communications equipment, identification and other security gear, with armed personnel carrying their issued firearms as part of the enhanced protective posture. The increased presence was intended to provide a visible deterrent while strengthening the protection of diplomatic personnel and facilities.
The level of reinforcement was determined on a mission-by-mission basis according to the assessed threat environment. Some diplomatic facilities received a greater increase in Shin Bet and Border Police personnel and protective coverage, while others received more limited reinforcement. The precise arrangements remained subject to continuing intelligence and security assessments and could be adjusted as circumstances developed.
Israeli officials emphasized that the enhanced posture was precautionary and did not necessarily indicate an imminent threat against any particular diplomatic mission. The objective was to strengthen protection and deterrence while allowing diplomatic missions to continue operating normally.
STATE OF ISRAEL
Dear Ambassadors,
I am writing to formally advise you of an enhancement to the security arrangements applicable to diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Israel.
The State of Israel maintains established protective-security arrangements for foreign embassies and diplomatic missions operating within its territory. As part of these arrangements, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Border Police provides security support and protective personnel in accordance with the assessed threat environment and the particular requirements of each diplomatic mission.
The level, composition, and deployment of Shin Bet and Border Police security personnel assigned to individual diplomatic missions are determined by the competent Israeli authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, following consultation with the relevant security authorities and consideration of current intelligence and threat assessments.
Following a recent comprehensive review of the regional security environment, the Government of Israel has identified an elevated level of concern regarding the potential for diplomatic facilities and personnel to become targets in connection with heightened regional tensions. The assessment has also taken into consideration the recent attack against the United States Embassy in Türkiye and the heightened diplomatic tensions surrounding developments relating to the Oslo Accords framework and their implications for regional security.
On the basis of this updated assessment, the Government of Israel has directed that the Shin Bet and Border Police protective-security posture for diplomatic missions be increased.
Accordingly, diplomatic missions should expect an increased Shin Bet and Border Police presence and enhanced protective coverage around designated diplomatic facilities and personnel. The precise level of augmentation will be determined on an individual mission basis and may be adjusted as the threat environment develops.
The enhanced arrangements may include an increased allocation of Shin Bet and Border Police protective personnel, strengthened protective coverage for diplomatic premises, increased security coordination with the relevant diplomatic mission, and other protective measures considered appropriate by the competent Israeli authorities. The specific operational arrangements will remain subject to security requirements and will not necessarily be uniform across all diplomatic missions.
This increase is a precautionary measure resulting from the most recent threat assessment and should not, in itself, be interpreted as an indication of a specific or imminent threat against any individual diplomatic mission. The security posture will continue to be reviewed regularly, and the level of Shin Bet and Border Police protection may subsequently be increased, reduced, or otherwise adjusted in accordance with changes in the assessed threat environment.
The Government of Israel places the highest importance on the protection of foreign diplomatic personnel and facilities located within Israel. The relevant Israeli authorities will maintain communication with diplomatic missions as the enhanced security arrangements are implemented and will coordinate, where appropriate, with designated security representatives of each mission.
We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the diplomatic community during the implementation of these precautionary measures. These arrangements are intended to ensure that diplomatic missions can continue to operate safely and effectively while maintaining the highest appropriate level of protection for their personnel and facilities.
Kind Regards,
Matan Kahana
Minister of the Interior
State of Israel
I am writing to formally advise you of an enhancement to the security arrangements applicable to diplomatic missions accredited to the State of Israel.
The State of Israel maintains established protective-security arrangements for foreign embassies and diplomatic missions operating within its territory. As part of these arrangements, the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) and Border Police provides security support and protective personnel in accordance with the assessed threat environment and the particular requirements of each diplomatic mission.
The level, composition, and deployment of Shin Bet and Border Police security personnel assigned to individual diplomatic missions are determined by the competent Israeli authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior, following consultation with the relevant security authorities and consideration of current intelligence and threat assessments.
Following a recent comprehensive review of the regional security environment, the Government of Israel has identified an elevated level of concern regarding the potential for diplomatic facilities and personnel to become targets in connection with heightened regional tensions. The assessment has also taken into consideration the recent attack against the United States Embassy in Türkiye and the heightened diplomatic tensions surrounding developments relating to the Oslo Accords framework and their implications for regional security.
On the basis of this updated assessment, the Government of Israel has directed that the Shin Bet and Border Police protective-security posture for diplomatic missions be increased.
Accordingly, diplomatic missions should expect an increased Shin Bet and Border Police presence and enhanced protective coverage around designated diplomatic facilities and personnel. The precise level of augmentation will be determined on an individual mission basis and may be adjusted as the threat environment develops.
The enhanced arrangements may include an increased allocation of Shin Bet and Border Police protective personnel, strengthened protective coverage for diplomatic premises, increased security coordination with the relevant diplomatic mission, and other protective measures considered appropriate by the competent Israeli authorities. The specific operational arrangements will remain subject to security requirements and will not necessarily be uniform across all diplomatic missions.
This increase is a precautionary measure resulting from the most recent threat assessment and should not, in itself, be interpreted as an indication of a specific or imminent threat against any individual diplomatic mission. The security posture will continue to be reviewed regularly, and the level of Shin Bet and Border Police protection may subsequently be increased, reduced, or otherwise adjusted in accordance with changes in the assessed threat environment.
The Government of Israel places the highest importance on the protection of foreign diplomatic personnel and facilities located within Israel. The relevant Israeli authorities will maintain communication with diplomatic missions as the enhanced security arrangements are implemented and will coordinate, where appropriate, with designated security representatives of each mission.
We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of the diplomatic community during the implementation of these precautionary measures. These arrangements are intended to ensure that diplomatic missions can continue to operate safely and effectively while maintaining the highest appropriate level of protection for their personnel and facilities.
Kind Regards,
Matan Kahana
Minister of the Interior
State of Israel
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JayPlease be advised that all correspondence originating from the State of Israel is transmitted using state-sanctioned encryption protocols. While every effort has been made to ensure this message and its attachments are free from harmful content, the sender cannot accept liability for any potential damage or data loss resulting from their use.
Throughout the day, the additional Shin Bet and Border Police personnel maintained the heightened security presence while Israeli authorities continued monitoring developments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained in coordination with the relevant security bodies, and the overall posture remained under continuous review.
By evening, the increased Shin Bet and Border Police presence had become the temporary security posture around the affected diplomatic facilities. No emergency measures were required, but Israeli security officials remained prepared to adjust the level of protection should the threat assessment change.
The assessment had changed, and Israel's protective posture had changed with it. Around the diplomatic quarter, the additional personnel, protective equipment, and armed security presence served as a visible reminder that Israel was taking no chances with the safety of foreign diplomatic missions.
Jay Odinson
