France, India, Russia, UK warn citizens not to travel to 'Israel'
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Several countries, including France, India, Russia, Poland, and the United Kingdom, have cautioned their citizens against traveling to "Israel", the occupied Palestinian territories, and neighboring areas following threats of potential Iranian retaliation.
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Debris is cleared away after an Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, on Monday. (AFP)
Several nations such as France, India, Russia, Poland, and the United Kingdom have warned their nationals against traveling to "Israel" due to concerns about potential retaliation from Iran following a recent terrorist attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria.
In a speech delivered in Tehran on Wednesday, the leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Sayyed Ali Khamenei asserted that the Israeli government "must face consequences and will face consequences" for its aggression on the Iranian diplomatic consulate on April 1st.
Sayyed Khamenei affirmed that "Israel" made a grave mistake by targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus, highlighting that the attack is tantamount to an attack on Iranian soil.
On Friday, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs advised its citizens against traveling to "Israel", Lebanon, the occupied West Bank, and Gaza.
Britain has advised its citizens to limit travel to "Israel" and Palestine to essential purposes only, citing concerns about the potential for attacks on occupied Palestinian territory originating from Iran. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned against “all travel” to northern "Israel", the Gaza Strip, areas near Gaza, and the occupied West Bank.
Poland's Foreign Ministry has also cautioned against traveling to "Israel", Palestine, and Lebanon.
In a statement, it said “It cannot be ruled out that there will be a sudden escalation of military operations, which would cause significant difficulties in leaving these three countries,” adding that “Any escalation may lead to significant restrictions in air traffic and the inability to cross land border crossings.”
Meanwhile, New Delhi has urged Indians to refrain from traveling to Iran and "Israel" until further notice, citing the "current situation in the region." The Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi emphasized that Indian citizens should exercise utmost caution regarding their safety and minimize their movements to essential ones only.
On the other hand, the Israeli military released a statement on Friday in which it warned that the coming days require the Israeli forces “to be alert and prepared.”
US President Joe Biden told reporters on Friday that Washington was "devoted to the defense of Israel, we will support Israel, we will help defend Israel," adding that "Iran will not succeed."
In recent days, Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate against the Israeli aggression that targeted the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus, which resulted in the martyrdom of seven advisors from Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).
