Ambassador to Thailand plays down anti-Israeli protests

Israeli ambassador Alona Fisher-Kamm has downplayed fears that recent protests and disputes involving Israeli visitors to Thailand reflect antisemitism, while recognizing cultural differences and instances of poor behavior. Speaking to AFP, Fisher-Kamm emphasized the need for Thailand and Israel to prevent tensions stemming from the Middle East conflict from infiltrating Thai-Israeli relations.

She remains hesitant to label the situation in Thailand as antisemitic, stating that it is "far from their mentality, from their tolerance, from what they think."

Several protests have been held outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok, with demonstrators using signs like "Jews Out" and urging Jewish people to leave Thailand. The protests have also occurred in Phuket, where a Rosh Hashanah dinner was canceled due to violence concerns. US State Department special envoy on antisemitism, Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, expressed deep concern over the rising anti-Semitic rhetoric in Thailand.

Fisher-Kamm acknowledged the existence of cultural gaps between Israelis and Thais, citing instances of disrespect and misbehavior by some Israeli visitors. These controversies have included a Koh Samui zoo barring Israeli tourists due to alleged behavioral problems and accusations of illegal land and business ownership by foreign nationals.

However, she attributed the amplification of these incidents to social media campaigning and warned that failing to address the issue could harm bilateral relations between the two countries, which have significant labor ties.