A group of Phuket residents on Tuesday demanded a ban on a planned Jewish New Year celebration on the island, saying it would draw conflict to the island amid the continued Middle East war.

Saychol Nhuchet, a leader of the Group Protecting the Land of Phuket, submitted a petition to local authorities opposing the celebration planned by the local Jewish community at a chabad and a hotel in the Patong area on the tourist island.

He said the protesters were not discriminating on the basis of religion or nationality. They were seriously concerned about safety, security and the tourism image of the island, he added.

Phuket should not be drawn into international conflicts, he said.

The local district chief said authorities were also worried about the event and were to meet later on Tuesday to address the issue by taking into consideration the feeling of local residents.

The official said Thailand welcomes all foreign tourists and provides safety for them.

Rosh Hashanah, as the Jewish new year is known, will be celebrated on Friday at the Chabad Patong community centre and the Novotel Patong Hotel. Organisers expect around 600 at the Chabad and another 400 at the hotel, according to The Phuket Express.

The organisers are seeking police protection, it added.

Mr Saychol said that the group was ready to step up campaigns against the event if authorities ignore their call and dismiss public safety concerns.

The protest against the Jewish New Year event comes amid growing tension over the conduct of some Israeli visitors in Thailand, especially on the southern tourist islands of Phuket, Samui and Phangan.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul last week ordered Yaacov Ohayon, an Israeli living on Koh Samui, to leave the kingdom after he was convicted of making threats against the owners of Samui Exotic Park, a zoo on the island.

The zoo’s French co-owner was subsequently ordered deported on Monday for threatening Israeli visitors. Both men have seven days to appeal the orders.