Israeli ambassador to Thailand warns: 'The Israeli tourist is becoming a symbol' | Exclusive interview
Israeli Ambassador to Thailand, Dr. Alona Fisher-Kam, addressed the wave of protests against Israelis in the country, which peaked with the largest demonstration yet outside the embassy in Bangkok. She warned against painting all Israelis with a negative brush, while acknowledging embarrassing cases of unacceptable behavior. The embassy is working with Thai authorities and has distributed a code of conduct for Israelis.
Israeli Ambassador to Thailand, Dr. Alona Fisher-Kam, addressed the wave of protests against Israelis in the country, which peaked with the largest demonstration yet outside the embassy in Bangkok on Thursday. The embassy canceled public reception hours in the morning to avoid friction but continued working as usual. The protests included complaints about the behavior of Israeli tourists and businesspeople, opposition to Israeli policy, and in some cases, antisemitic messages. Fisher-Kam emphasized that using the Israeli tourist as a symbol for broader phenomena should raise a red flag, and that someone coming to protest bad behavior in Koh Phangan should not hold a 'Free Palestine' sign or signs against Jews. She noted that Israel is in continuous dialogue with Thai authorities, and the Israeli message is twofold: Israel does not ignore violations by its citizens but demands that individual cases not become an indictment against an entire public. The ambassador pointed to the sharp increase in the number of Israelis in Thailand—from 280,000 in 2024 to about 425,000 in 2025, a jump of about 40%—as a factor in their prominence. She said the vast majority of Israelis are law-abiding, but there are embarrassing cases of unacceptable behavior. The embassy has distributed a 'do's and don'ts' document for Israelis. Alongside the criticism, the ambassador identified a social media campaign involving exaggeration, fake news, and incitement, including attributing things to Israelis that are not related to them. She warned against making Chabad houses a target, with antisemitic claims about weapons stockpiling, and noted the need for openness and public diplomacy. Fisher-Kam mentioned the 65,000 Thai workers in Israel as a 'win-win' for both sides, and Thai recognition of Israeli treatment of Thai terror victims since October 7, including 48 killed.