Israel tells citizens to keep a low profile in Qatar for their own safety

November 17 - Israel urges its citizens traveling to the World Cup in Qatar to keep a low profile.

Although they did not qualify, thousands of Israelis are expected to attend the first World Cup in the Middle East.

Israel and Qatar have no formal diplomatic ties, but under a landmark deal, Israelis without foreign passports can travel to Qatar for the World Cup despite the countries' lack of ties .

Qatar announced last week that it would even allow direct flights from Tel Aviv to Doha, as well as for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, whose ability to travel depends on approval from the Israeli government.

Like many Gulf Arab citizens, including those in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain who normalized relations with Israel in 2020, Qataris have long supported the Palestinian cause.

Another crucial point for Israel's concerns is that there should be a significant number of fans supporting Iran - politically Israel's sworn enemy.

Israelis were asked to hide any national symbol.

"The Iranian team will participate in the World Cup and we estimate that tens of thousands [of] fans will follow them, and there will be other fans from the Gulf countries with whom we do not have relations diplomats,” said Lior Haiat, a senior Israeli diplomat.

"Minimize your Israeli presence and your Israeli identity in the name of your personal security."

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