File photo courtesy: Wikipedia

 

An unsettling incident involving a 22-year-old Israeli holidaymaker in Thailand has ignited further concern among Israeli tourists. The young backpacker, referred to as Mr. Ilay, was reportedly attacked by a group of German tourists in the country's scenic north, according to Ynet. This disturbing assault occurred against the backdrop of recent security warnings affecting Israelis in the region.

 

Mr. Ilay recounted the harrowing moment to Ynet, saying, “I was walking past a group of four young Germans. One asked, ‘Where are you from? Israel?’ Before I could respond properly, he hit me in the face.” This unprovoked violence quickly escalated as the group reportedly pushed and kicked him, hurling derogatory insults with one particularly offensive phrase that reflects ongoing prejudices, calling him “Israeli son of a wh***.”

 

The attack left Mr. Ilay with a noticeable eye injury and painful rib swelling, an experience he believes was deliberately aimed at targeting an Israeli. "I feel they were looking for Israelis," Mr. Ilay remarked. "It didn't seem like a mistake." His injuries serve as a stark reminder of the latent dangers tourists might face abroad in politically charged times.

 

The assault comes just as the Israeli National Security Council (NSC) heightened their travel warning for Thailand to Level 2. This advisory calls for increased caution rather than abrupt departure, in light of perceived threats specifically towards Israelis.

 

Authorities have urged tourists to be especially vigilant in avoiding large gatherings with Israeli connections and to steer clear of venues that may signify Israeli or Jewish affiliation.

 

In recent weeks, concerns have been mounting over the safety of Israeli nationals in Southeast Asia, particularly after the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE, which has potential links to terror plots targeting Israelis. Such incidents have amplified fears and resulted in calls for Israeli tourists to exercise enhanced caution and discretion in their travels.

 

For visitors, this means maintaining a low profile, avoiding overt expressions of Israeli identity, and abstaining from publicising travel plans or connections online. This proactive stance aims to shield tourists from becoming inadvertent targets of misplaced animosity.

 

In response, Israel's security apparatus remains on high alert, collaborating with international partners to safeguard Israeli travellers and disband any imminent threats. However, incidents like the one Mr. Ilay encountered underscore the unpredictable nature of such dangers and the importance of continuous vigilance and rapid response.

 

As these developments unfold, Israeli tourists are encouraged to stay informed through official channels, ensuring their safety during this tense period, reported The Jerusalem Post.

 

-- 2024-12-02

 

 

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

‘Where are you from? Israel?’

how did he guess he was from israel?

maybe it's best not to put your country's flag on your backpack.

also, it's no one's business where you're from.

you should never respond to that question. 

way too loaded.

 

If this proves to be an unprovoked attack, the assailants should be kicked out of  Thailand and blacklisted for life. 

Need more info on this.

If the Israeli backpacker was alone, it's extremely unlikely he would be provoking four people of any kind.

The Germans? Perhaps middle eastern immigrant type of Germans?

How was the Israeli identified?

Well if he was alone not from speaking unless on a phone.

Hebrew or an Israeli accent is very easy to place.

Appearance? Believe it or not, even without wearing flags and such, Israelis are often easy to identify that way as well in a different way than visible Jews in general.

If the Germans were middle eastern origin, that much easier for them.

Googling this. I am seeing some international press is making a thing that the Israeli was an IDF soldier. The majority of Israelis are obligated to serve in the IDF in one way or another.

27 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Need more info on this.

If the Israeli backpacker was alone, it's extremely unlikely he would be provoking four people of any kind.

The Germans? Perhaps middle eastern immigrant type of Germans?

How was the Israeli identified?

 

could be fake news.

psychological warfare. always make yourself look like the victim.

 

I'm tired of reading articles about "anti-semitism". 

the wars in the middle east need to end.

plain and simple. 

 

13 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

 

could be fake news.

psychological warfare. always make yourself look like the victim.

 

I'm tired of reading articles about "anti-semitism". 

the wars in the middle east need to end.

plain and simple. 

 

Yeah he punched himself.

That's the ticket.

How did Mr Ilay know that the attackers were German?  Previous interaction?  Waving German flags?  Wearing lederhosen? They showed him their passports?  

Just a guess, he could have been talking with them in German and they detected a Yiddish accent.  Yeah, I know that language is reviled  in Israel but I wouldn't expect many non-Jews to know that.  Even in New York!

A friend's father managed to survive The Holocaust by escaping several times.  At one point some Germans caught him on the road in Poland; he said he knew if he spoke German they would know he was a Jew by his accent; he spoke to them in Polish and they both went their separate ways.

 

If this really was an unprovoked antisemitic attack then I suspect things are not going to go so well for these four "German tourists" from here on out. 

 

Presumably, the Immigration Dept will revoke their visas and they will be banned from reentering Thailand for at least 10 years. And in addition, they could spend some time in jail while the local authorities decide exactly what they're going to do with them. 

 

Then, when they get back to Germany, they certainly won't find themselves getting a warm welcome over there either. Instead, they'll end up on a German Government watchlist.

50 minutes ago, Homburg said:

How did Mr Ilay know that the attackers were German?  Previous interaction?  Waving German flags?  Wearing lederhosen? They showed him their passports?  

Probably from hearing them speak German.

That or the socks with sandals.

50 minutes ago, bendejo said:

Just a guess, he could have been talking with them in German and they detected a Yiddish accent.  Yeah, I know that language is reviled  in Israel but I wouldn't expect many non-Jews to know that.  Even in New York!

A friend's father managed to survive The Holocaust by escaping several times.  At one point some Germans caught him on the road in Poland; he said he knew if he spoke German they would know he was a Jew by his accent; he spoke to them in Polish and they both went their separate ways.

 

Silly guess.

The chance of a young Israeli speaking German or Yiddish are not high.

You do realize the language of Israel is Hebrew? 

10 minutes ago, Terrance8812 said:

Presumably he has 5 already and doesn't need another one.

Presumably by who? Moronic antisemites? 

18 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

they should force the germans to buy the jewish guy a mercedes

 

 

There were 4 Germans and 1 Israeli. Calling him "the Jewish guy" in this situation is antisemitic. Do people call you "the Christian guy"? Also, suggesting that "the Jewish guy" wants financial compensation is added insult to injury.  

5 minutes ago, FriscoKid said:

Also, suggesting that "the Jewish guy" wants financial compensation is added insult to injury.  

 

Financial compensation for an assault is common in Thailand, although the amounts involved would usually only buy a toy Mercedes!

41 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Presumably by who? Moronic antisemites? 

Yes, it was sarcasm based upon a stupid comment.

4 minutes ago, Terrance8812 said:

So that means it would be alright to randomly attack you also when someone else doesn't like the political or religious beliefs of your country? That's called a hate crime or an act of terrorism. Small small ideas for all even smaller minds.

It would help - seriously - if you would read the entire posting - I clearly mentioned that this is "totally unacceptable". If need arises, Google is your friend and helps you to translate it into whatever language you might understand better! 

xxxxxxx

3 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I'm tired of reading articles about "anti-semitism". 

 

You are tired of reading about antisemitism.  Can you imagine how tired Jews are of enduring antisemitism for the past 2,000 years? In the U.S., hatred of Jews is expressed more openly and blatantly than I've ever seen before.  From pre-schoolers through the elderly, Jews are harassed and attacked on a daily basis for no other reason than they are Jewish.  Antisemitism now goes way beyond posts on social media.

 

The video is from May, but it shows how such attacks go down.  A group of Hasidic children in traditional garb are playing on the sidewalk in a Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn.  A man who had been riding past on a bike suddenly stops and attacks two boys, age 11 and 13.  He kicks and stomps one who he pushed to the ground.  The man was never caught.   https://x.com/Williamsburg365/status/1790609797454221603

 

 

 

3 hours ago, save the frogs said:

the wars in the middle east need to end.

plain and simple. 

 

If Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran stop their terrorist attacks and recognize Israel's right to exist as a home land to the world's Jews, the ME would stop immediately.

Where did this happen ?

 

Did the victim report it to the police ?

 

Was this caught on any security cameras ?

The story is lacking much detail.

15 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

It would help - seriously - if you would read the entire posting - I clearly mentioned that this is "totally unacceptable". If need arises, Google is your friend and helps you to translate it into whatever language you might understand better! 

Backpedaling and redirecting. Nice!

2 hours ago, Homburg said:

How did Mr Ilay know that the attackers were German?  Previous interaction?  Waving German flags?  Wearing lederhosen? They showed him their passports?  

You're right. Something is missing in this story. We know only one side, and even not all.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Israeli Attacked in Thailand by German Tourist 

Ha, ha, more quality foreigners in Thailand. 

 

13 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

You're right. Something is missing in this story. We know only one side, and even not all.

 

  Although if it was a Palestinian in Gaza getting assaulted by the IDF , you would immediately believe everything 

1 hour ago, FriscoKid said:

There were 4 Germans and 1 Israeli. Calling him "the Jewish guy" in this situation is antisemitic. Do people call you "the Christian guy"? Also, suggesting that "the Jewish guy" wants financial compensation is added insult to injury.  

Oh come on lighten up - stop that wokey nonsense here

24 minutes ago, Terrance8812 said:

Backpedaling and redirecting. Nice!

 

Glad you got the message; next time read before commenting 😉 

27 minutes ago, Denim said:

Where did this happen ?

 

Did the victim report it to the police ?

 

Was this caught on any security cameras ?

The story is lacking much detail.

 The story comes from an article in Hebrew on ynet (https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/ry9hbuyxkg) .  It states ,  "A 22-year-old man who was released from reserve service and was traveling in the town of Pai in the north of the country, said he encountered a group of tourists from Germany - who attacked him with severe violence."

 

The  Hebrew version also says the young man didn't file a police report because he thought filing a report could interfere with the rest of his trip.  He and some other Israelis went looking for the Germans, but couldn't find them.

 

The story is based entirely on the ex-reservist's statement to an Israeli press agency.  It's impossible to give the Germans' side of the story because they aren't known.

 

I imagine if this story is picked up by the Thai press, it could provoke a police reaction and some attempt to find out more about the Germans.

1 hour ago, FriscoKid said:

Do people call you "the Christian guy"?

I'm not christian.

I converted to Zoroastrianism.

I tell people I come from Costa Rica because they have no military. 

 

1 hour ago, Sydebolle said:

While this, provided true, is totally unacceptable, it remains a fact, that Israel has consistently ensured to be an unpopular member of the world's society. Israel has been up in arms with its neighbours to the level, that the world trade is avoiding the Suez Canal for safety reasons. Consequently prices went up for anything which now circumnavigates Africa. 

The Germans nowadays have nothing to do with the horrible genocide which ended almost 80 years ago and there is no living German who was - back then - in a decision-making age. Nevertheless Israel ensures, that the Nazi hatchet is not buried while the Germans ensured, that their past is not getting forgotten. This inferiority complex of the Germans towards their past between 1933-1945 remains rubbed in even today's in German kindergartens. 

To close, it is of course not acceptable, throw those Germans out of Thailand for life while the Israeli tourist might have learnt a lesson, that - not everywhere - they are considered the "chosen people" from the "promised land" - me thinks! 

There's you using the chosen people hatchet.

Anti-Semitism Is Not a Product of Jews Acting Like the 'Chosen People' - Jewish World - Haaretz.com

 

As far as these Germans. sure they could be "Aryan" neo-Nazis, but much more likely leftist college students accusing Israel of genocide or middle east migrant newer Germans.

41 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Oh come on lighten up - stop that wokey nonsense here

Pointing out antisemitism isn’t wokey. But wokey is a MAGAT phrase?

24 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I'm not christian.

I converted to Zoroastrianism.

I tell people I come from Costa Rica because they have no military. 

 

Ok, “the Zoroastrianism guy”. Done. 

5 minutes ago, FriscoKid said:

Pointing out antisemitism isn’t wokey. But wokey is a MAGAT phrase?

🤣