One Thai injured in Israel violence, thousands of others told to lie low
The Foreign Ministry has expressed concern about the impact of Israel’s fresh round of violence on the thousands of Thais living there.
So far, one Thai national has been injured in the violence, according to the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv, which is monitoring Thai workers in conflict-hit areas.
An estimated 26,000 Thai workers are employed in Israel’s agricultural sector.
The ministry has received a report from the Tel Aviv embassy about unrest that has been escalating since mid-April.
The violence started in Jerusalem before spreading to areas in other Israeli cities, culminating in rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza this week followed by retaliatory airstrikes by Israeli forces.
At least 46 people have been killed in Gaza this week, Reuters reports. Meanwhile clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces have continued in Jerusalem.
The tension is expected to continue through May because there are important political and religious days to come this month.
The Thai Embassy warned that Thais in Israel should exercise caution, pay close attention to news and information, and strictly follow the advice of Israeli authorities, said ministry spokesperson Thanee Saengrat.
The embassy has arranged a total of 13 repatriation flights during the Covid-19 pandemic, flying 2,827 Thais back home from Israel. The latest flight saw 222 Thai nationals returned on Tuesday, with more repatriation flights planned.