Israelis Stay In Sri Lankan Tourist Areas Despite Terrorism Warning

Urugam Bay, one of the popular residences for Israelis in Sri Lanka (doc. Straturka).

JAKARTA - The last remaining Israelis in the Sri Lankan tourist area said they felt safe and would remain behind despite warnings from Jerusalem to leave immediately due to threats of possible terrorist attacks.

Israel's National Security Council on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, asked Israelis to leave the tourist area south of the Indian Ocean island nation. They have information about terrorist threats focused on tourist and coastal areas.

The agency did not mention the nature of the threat, but said the warning was related to the Serugam Bay area, a popular place for Israelis, and beaches in southern and west of Sri Lanka.

The US Embassy in Sri Lanka and the German Foreign Ministry also provided similar warnings, prompting Colombo to increase security and increase vigilance.

Sri Lankan police have arrested three suspects for questioning in connection with an unnamed threat.

"We are trying to ensure that all tourists are protected and their safety is guaranteed at all times," police spokesman Nihal Thalduwa told Reuters.

Local authorities said there were about 600-700 Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay from September to early October 2024.

However, that number has shrunk to just 20 when security warnings were issued this week that coincided with the end of the tourist season.

As of Friday, October 25, 2024, 17 people had moved from the area and some of them flew abroad, leaving three Israelis in the southeastern city of about 7,000 people.

One of them, who has come to Sri Lanka since 1991 and is an old resident. He said he felt safe and was waiting for the arrival of his 17-year-old wife and twins in a week.

"I'm happy to come here and my family is happy to come here. We surf for about three to four hours every day when my sons are here. I don't think there is a serious security threat," he told Reuters.

The man, who declined to be identified, said two policemen appeared after the first security warning. Now, there are 16 security personnel, including police special forces, stationed around his small, blue-painted home in Urugam Bay.

Two other Israeli men, brothers who were relaxing in their rooms at a nearby halfway house, were surrounded by about eight police personnel and special forces.

They also said they would stay there until the end of the month and then move to the city of Ahongama which is not far from Arugam.

Sri Lanka continues to improve security with memories of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombing still fresh in memory.

The attack allegedly on ISIS targeted churches and three hotels, which killed 267 people, including at least 45 foreign nationals.

Unexpected Security

checkpoints have sprung up on main roads and bridges in the Arugam Bay as well as surrounding areas. As many as 500 police, military, and special forces were deployed.

The police stopped the vehicle and checked the passenger's identity card.

Israeli officials have warned of an increasing threat of attacks on Israelis outside their country since the start of the war in Gaza.

There has also been a spike in reports of antisemitic incidents in many parts of the world since the war broke out in the Middle East after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.

Teluk Arugam residents dismissed social media speculation about tensions in the Muslim-majority city over the presence of Israelis after the Gaza war.

"I started renting out rooms to foreigners last year. They like to live here because they are not afraid," said 41-year-old Abubakar Rinosha, who owns Israeli brothers' halfway homes.

Another resident said Israeli tourists were the main source of income, covering 70 percent of the city's revenue.