Israeli Embassies Threatened, May Close

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Four Israeli embassies may be closed after receiving serious threats.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that security at the embassies, which it did not identify, had increased to the maximum level. Security at all Israeli embassies has been increased as well, according to reports.

The ministry said in Tuesday's statement that "a number of irregular incidents targeting Israeli destinations were recorded in the past few days."

"At this point we estimate that a threat exists against the locations and it is being dealt with," said the statement. "The relevant Israeli authorities are in contact with the relevant authorities in the countries in question."

The threats coincide with the third anniversary of the death of Hezbollah senior official Imad Mughniyeh, who was killed in Damascus by a car bomb that the terrorist organization blames on Israel. Hezbollah has vowed to avenge his death.

Also out of concern following threats of revenge kidnappings, Israel's Counter Terrorism Bureau issued a warning late last week to Israeli travelers urging them to avoid certain destinations, including Egypt, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania and Venezuela.