Israel’s National Security Council warned citizens traveling to Switzerland for the Eurovision Song Contest next week (May 13–17) to be discreet and avoid displaying Jewish or national symbols.

What happened: On Thursday the NSC called on Israelis in Switzerland and elsewhere abroad to download the Home Front Command app for up-to-date travel information. The travel warning stated that Israelis should not display Jewish or Israeli symbols in public, avoid posting on social media, refrain from discussing military service or the war against Hamas, steer clear of demonstrations in the cities they visit and avoid gatherings associated with Israel. The NSC also recommended avoiding confrontations with pro-Palestinian activists and maintaining a low profile to avoid being identified as a potential target during the event.

“It is recommended to stay away from these centers of friction and demonstrations, which may escalate into violence,” said the NSC, emphasizing that international events such as Eurovision are frequent targets of terrorist threats due to their broad media exposure. "Since the beginning of the Iron Swords Gaza operation, various countries and terrorist organizations including Iran, Islamic Jihad organizations, Hamas and Hezbollah have been working vigorously to harm Israelis and Jews in Israel and around the world," read the statement.

The NSC added that some 360 anti-Israel protests have taken place in Switzerland over the past year and more are expected during Eurovision in response to the presence of the Israeli delegation and singer Yuval Raphael.