A mass dinner to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on the tourist island of Phuket in Thailand, was cancelled at the last minute, with organizers saying that it came at the request of Israeli security officials concerned that local protests against the gathering could have turned violent.
“Dear guests! Due to a request from Israeli security officials, we deeply regret that we are canceling the event. Please do not approach the area,” said the statement from the local Chabad House that was organizing the event.
“The protesters could become violent, and it is dangerous,” read the message sent to those who registered for the holiday dinner.
Earlier Friday, some 500 Thais staged a protest near the Chabad House, with signs seen reading “SAVE PHUKET NO ISRAEL” and chants like “Free Palestine.”
It followed several days of protests against Israelis on the island, and in the capital Bangkok, some of them tinged with antisemitic rhetoric.
