2011 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Egypt

Protesters' attack on an embassy yes September 2020 2011 attack on the Israeli embassy in Egypt events surrounding the 2011 Egyptian revolution yes 30 01 43.20 N 31 13 01 E Israeli embassy at Giza, EgyptFahmy Mohamed Fadel Mohamed Fahmy (journalist) Egypt declares state of alert in wake of attack on Israeli Embassy http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/09/egypt.protests/index.html?hpt=hp_t1on 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 CNN 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102752/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/09/egypt.protests/index.html?hpt=hp_t1on dead 30 01 43.20 N 31 13 01 E title, inline 9–10 September 2011 Several thousand protesters Demonstrations, rioting, online activism, infiltrationKessler Oren Oren Kessler Egypt vows to prosecute those who targeted embassy https://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=237437 30 April 2012 The Jerusalem Post 10 September 2011 10 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110910201713/http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=237437 live ~1,049 Egyptian protesters 3 Egyptian protesters On 9 September 2011, several thousand protesters forcibly entered the Israeli embassy in Giza, Greater Cairo, after breaking down a recently constructed wall built to protect the compound.The return of calm in front of the embassy of Israel in Giza http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-671532 CNN iReport 30 April 2012 12 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120612015543/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-671532 deadAlabass Bassem Israeli workers in Egypt fly home in fear for safety http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/21049/Business/Economy/Israeli-workers-in-Egypt-fly-home-in-fear-for-own-.aspx 30 April 2012 12 September 2011 10 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120910020249/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/3/12/21049/Business/Economy/Israeli-workers-in-Egypt-fly-home-in-fear-for-own-.aspx live The protesters later broke into a police station and stole weapons, resulting in police using tear gas in an attempt to protect themselves. The demonstrators eventually broke through the security wall and entered the offices of the embassy. Six members of the embassy staff, who had been in a "safe room", were evacuated from the site by Egyptian commandos, following the personal intervention of United States President Barack Obama.Hadid Diaa Egypt commandos save 6 Israelis in embassy attack https://news.yahoo.com/egypt-commandos-save-6-israelis-embassy-attack-190607978.html 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 5 November 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121105205703/http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-commandos-save-6-israelis-embassy-attack-190607978.html liveWilliams Dan Israel lauds Obama's role in Cairo crisis https://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL5E7KA0UV20110910 https://web.archive.org/web/20120927215954/http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFL5E7KA0UV20110910 dead 27 September 2012 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 ReutersObama asks Egypt to protect Israeli embassy http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/obama-asks-egypt-protect-israeli-embassy 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 12 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120612061707/http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/obama-asks-egypt-protect-israeli-embassy live Following the attack, the Israeli deputy ambassador remained in Cairo; 85 staff members and their families returned to Israel.Kirkpatrick David David D. Kirkpatrick After Attack on Embassy, Egypt Vows a Tougher Stance on Protests https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/world/middleeast/11egypt.html?_r=1 30 April 2012 The New York Times 10 September 2011 2 September 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190902195539/https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/world/middleeast/11egypt.html?_r=1 live The Egyptian army declared a state of alert. Background Egypt–Israel relations thumb|right|On 15 May 2011, Egyptian protesters waved Palestinian flags in front of the Israeli embassy in Giza as they burned a makeshift Israeli flag. During 2011, relations between Israel and Egypt deteriorated after the resignation of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, reaching their lowest point since peace was established between the nations by the 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty. The Israeli-Egyptian border became a region of conflict and instability due to increased militant activity in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, and anti-Israeli sentiment was expressed in protests by masses of Egyptians in the streets of Giza. On 18 August 2011, a squad of militants crossed the border from the Sinai Peninsula into southern Israel, killing eight Israelis. The ensuing Israeli counter-terrorist operations in close proximity to the border resulted in the deaths of "at least three" Egyptian soldiers.Egypt says Israel apology of troop deaths is insufficient http://articles.cnn.com/2011-08-21/world/israel.egypt.tensions_1_israel-and-egypt-egyptian-border-amos-gilad?_s=PM:WORLD 30 April 2012 CNN 21 August 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120312171421/http://articles.cnn.com/2011-08-21/world/israel.egypt.tensions_1_israel-and-egypt-egyptian-border-amos-gilad?_s=PM:WORLD 12 March 2012 dead The soldiers' deaths by Israeli fireSeptember 2011 ignited protests at the Israeli Embassy in Giza. During a demonstration on 20 August 2011, an Egyptian protester climbed 20 feet up the building's facade to remove the Israeli flag. The Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces considered recalling the Egyptian ambassador in Tel Aviv. Eventually, Israel publicly apologized for the deaths of the Egyptian soldiers. Ehud Barak, Israel Defense Minister, Regrets Deaths of Egyptian Troops http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/20/ehud-barak-egyptian-soldiers_n_932097.html 30 April 2012 HuffPost 20 August 2011 6 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306093703/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/20/ehud-barak-egyptian-soldiers_n_932097.html live Israel Apologizes For Deaths of Egyptian Troops in Shootout With Militants https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-apologizes-for-deaths-of-egyptian-troops-in-shootout-with-militants/ 30 April 2012 20 August 2011 Fox News 15 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120215172800/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08/20/israel-apologizes-for-deaths-egyptian-troops-in-shootout-with-militants/ live Egypt stated that Israel's apology was "insufficient." Egypt deems Israel's apology for policemen deaths 'insufficient' https://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/egypt-deems-israel-s-apology-for-policemen-deaths-insufficient-1.379797 30 April 2012 Haaretz Daily Newspaper 21 August 2011 20 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120120230930/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/egypt-deems-israel-s-apology-for-policemen-deaths-insufficient-1.379797 dead The attack Timeline of the 2011 Egyptian revolution under Supreme Council of the Armed Forces#September On 9 September 2011, hundreds of Egyptian protesters began gathering outside of the Israeli embassy. Around 6:30 p.m. local time, they began to assault a concrete security perimeter wall with hammers and a battering ram. Egyptian authorities had erected the wall following intense protests in August. Building infiltration At 12:30 a.m. Saturday morning, several thousand protesters breached the security wall.Egyptians protest against military rule http://aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/09/20119993150747146.html 30 April 2012 9 September 2011 26 November 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111126044639/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2011/09/20119993150747146.html live By 1:00 a.m. they had entered the lobby and proceeded through the rest of the building. The demonstrators ransacked the embassy, located on the 20th and 21st floors of the building, and threw items including documents, some marked "confidential", from the windows of the building to the crowded street below.Ali Mostafa The storming of Cairo's Israeli embassy: an eyewitness account (part I) http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/1/20856/Egypt/The-storming-of-Cairos-Israeli-embassy-an-eyewitne.aspx 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 22 December 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111222062404/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/1/20856/Egypt/The-storming-of-Cairos-Israeli-embassy-an-eyewitne.aspx live The documents were quickly scanned and publicly commented on.September 2011 Israel later revealed that the remaining Israeli security staff had been separated from the rioters only by the steel door of a safe room in which they had taken refuge. In Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and various other senior Israeli officials watched the events unfold from a direct feed from the surveillance cameras installed in the embassy. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor estimated that about 3,000 protesters were involved in destroying the security wall. An Israeli diplomat condemned the attack as a "serious violation" of diplomatic behavior.Israel pulls envoy after embassy attack http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/09/201191064219436657.html 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 21 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110921205741/http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/09/201191064219436657.html live Immediately after the protesters had infiltrated the embassy, United States Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta received a call from Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak asking for help. The United States assisted in assuring the protection of the Israeli embassy personnel.Ravid Barak U.S. told Egypt it must rescue Israeli embassy workers or suffer 'consequences,' https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-told-egypt-it-must-rescue-israeli-embassy-workers-or-suffer-consequences-sources-say-1.383675 30 April 2012 Haaretz Daily Newspaper 10 September 2011 3 July 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120703131618/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-told-egypt-it-must-rescue-israeli-embassy-workers-or-suffer-consequences-sources-say-1.383675 dead Prime Minister Netanyahu later emphasized that he "would like to thank the US President Barack Obama for his help" in securing the lives of the Israeli embassy staff. Rescue of embassy staff and end of the riots Six Israeli security staff who were on the premises hid inside a reinforced safe room. Egyptian commando forces entered the embassy building and rescued the six Israeli guards. All other embassy staff and their family members were escorted to Cairo International Airport. At 2:40 a.m., the Israeli ambassador and approximately 85 other Israeli diplomats and their family members arrived at the airport and were flown out of Egypt. Only the deputy Israeli ambassador remained in Egypt, staying at the United States embassy. A senior Egyptian security official stated that the Egyptian commandos had been sent to the embassy after Israeli Ambassador Itzhak Levanon spoke on the phone with an anonymous member of Egypt's ruling military council, and asked him to arrange the safe evacuation of the embassy staff. The demonstration and ransacking of the embassy building continued into the early morning hours as the protesters burned tires and set several police cars on fire. The Egyptian police eventually suppressed the riots and dispersed the thousands of rioters by using tear gas and firing warning shots into the air. Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Mossad director Efraim Halevy praised the actions of American president Obama in helping with the evacuation.Wexler Robert Robert Wexler Defending Obama's pro-Israel credentials https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=238954 30 April 2012 The Jerusalem Post 22 September 2011 25 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025024852/http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=238954 live Aftermath Following the attack on the embassy, the Egyptian army heightened the state of alert in the country and reinstated martial law, otherwise known as State of Emergency, on a temporary basis.Egypt Declares Emergency After Attack on Israeli Embassy http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-10/egypt-declares-state-of-emergency-after-israeli-embassy-struck.html https://archive.today/20120724020458/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-10/egypt-declares-state-of-emergency-after-israeli-embassy-struck.html dead 24 July 2012 Businessweek 30 April 2012 On the morning of Saturday, 10 September, Egypt's ruling military council rejected resignation requests that had been submitted by Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and several Egyptian ministers. Their request was made because of the failure to handle the disturbances.Lina Yang Egypt's ruling military council rejects PM's resignation http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/10/c_131132013.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20121108143120/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-09/10/c_131132013.htm dead 8 November 2012 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 One day after the attacks on the embassy, a group of reporters were attacked by a crowd of people still lingering near the scene of the riots. A reporter and producer were knocked to the ground and trampled, but managed to get to a vehicle in which they retreated, with protesters throwing stones at them. They were able to flee the area without sustaining any major injuries.Watson Ivan Angry crowd turns on journalists reporting embassy attack in Egypt http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/10/egypt.journalists.targeted/ 30 April 2012 11 September 2011 CNN 11 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111001120/http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/09/10/egypt.journalists.targeted/ dead Arrests In August 2012, an Egyptian court convicted 76 Egyptians who were linked to the attack on the Israeli embassy. 75 of those convicted received suspended one-year sentences, and one Egyptian, Omar Afifi who had fled abroad,https://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=282646 Egypt orders man to jail over Israel embassy attack The Jerusalem Post Reuters 26 August 2012 26 August 2012 26 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120826175855/http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=282646 live who was tried in absentia was given a five-year prison term. Eight charges were listed by the court, including "an assault against diplomatic missions" and "sabotage".https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-76-convicted-for-attack-on-israel-embassy/ Egypt: 76 convicted for last year's attack on Israeli Embassy The Times of Israel 26 August 2012 26 August 2012 28 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120828060058/https://www.timesofisrael.com/egypt-76-convicted-for-attack-on-israel-embassy/ live Official reactions Involved parties Egypt: Following the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Giza, Information Minister Osama Heikal stated that Egypt is still committed to all of the international treaties to which it is a signatory, and added that Egypt is also committed to the safety of all foreign diplomats residing in the country. In addition, Heikal stated that measures would be taken to ensure no further disturbances would occur.Egypt: We are committed to maintaining Israel peace treaty https://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-we-are-committed-to-maintaining-israel-peace-treaty-1.383642 30 April 2012 Haaretz Daily Newspaper 10 September 2011 28 December 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111228000314/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/egypt-we-are-committed-to-maintaining-israel-peace-treaty-1.383642 dead Israel: During a televised press conference conducted on the evening of 10 September, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the need to maintain Israel's strategic relations with Egypt, which is crucial to the region's stability. In addition, he thanked the Egyptian commando unit for preventing a disaster.Israel Embassy Attacked: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Condemns Violence in Egypt http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/10/israel-embassy-attacked-egypt_n_956627.html 30 April 2012 HuffPost 10 September 2011 28 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120328182240/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/10/israel-embassy-attacked-egypt_n_956627.html live Netanyahu also stated that the peace agreement with Egypt will be maintained in spite of the violent protests.Netanyahu: Peace agreement with Egypt will be maintained https://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=237452 30 April 2012 The Jerusalem Post 10 September 2011 25 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025003153/http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=237452 live International Bahrain: Foreign Minister Sheik Khalid ibn Ahmad Al Khalifah condemned the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Giza. The minister said that "the failure to defend the embassy building is a blatant violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations."Nahmias Roee Egypt to try Israel embassy rioters http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4120247,00.html 30 April 2012 10 September 2011 19 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181119220727/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4120247,00.html live Canada: Prime Minister Stephen Harper released a statement that said, "Our government strongly condemns the attack on the embassy of Israel in Egypt".AFP: Canada condemns attack on Israeli embassy in Egypt https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gON8NTBbMy_Bvm14RlCMBjaxRcAw?docId=CNG.4dd28a7c98f80c593e306e83d0eeefa5.8f1 https://archive.today/20120731170618/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gON8NTBbMy_Bvm14RlCMBjaxRcAw?docId=CNG.4dd28a7c98f80c593e306e83d0eeefa5.8f1 dead 31 July 2012 30 April 2012 Germany: Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle released a statement in which he condemned the attack on the Israeli embassy. In addition, the statement said that he expects "the Egyptian authorities to provide for the security of the embassy in accordance with international obligations. Any further escalation of the situation must be avoided."Germany condemns attack on Israeli Embassy in Cairo https://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=237434 30 April 2012 The Jerusalem Post 10 September 2011 25 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025003208/http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=237434 live Iran: Deputy head of the Majlis Committee on National Security and Foreign Policy Esmail Kowsari said that members of the Iranian parliament had expressed full support for the "ransacking" of the Israeli embassy in Cairo.Iran praises raid on Israel's embassy https://www.ft.com/content/85dcae6e-dc99-11e0-8654-00144feabdc0 22 August 2021 Financial Times 11 September 2011 22 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210822132044/https://www.ft.com/content/85dcae6e-dc99-11e0-8654-00144feabdc0 live United Kingdom: Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the attacks on the Israeli embassy, stating that Egypt is responsible for protecting diplomatic property. "I strongly condemn the attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo. We have urged the Egyptian authorities to meet their responsibilities under the Vienna Convention to protect diplomatic property and personnel, including the Israeli Embassy in Cairo. They have reassured us that they take these very seriously."UK's Cameron condemns attack on Israeli Embassy in Cairo https://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=237435 30 April 2012 The Jerusalem Post 10 September 2011 25 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121025003309/http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=237435 live United States: In a statement to the press, the White House said that President Barack Obama expressed his great concern about the situation at the embassy and the security of the Israelis serving there.Israeli Embassy attacked in Egypt, envoy flees http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=382788&catid=37 30 April 2012 The Statesman 10 September 2011 23 February 2013 https://archive.today/20130223005054/http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=382788&catid=37 dead See also Egypt Israel 2011 attack on the British Embassy in Iran 2012 diplomatic missions attacks References 35em Egyptians attack Israeli embassy; Obama is concerned https://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=237393 30 April 2012 The Jerusalem Post 10 September 2011 24 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024233212/http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=237393 live External links Timeline of Israel embassy attack in Cairo, The Jerusalem Post, 10 September 2011 In pictures: Cairo embassy attack, BBC News, 10 September 2011 Egypt vows to try those who targeted Israel mission, Reuters, 10 September 2011 Israeli ambassador to Egypt flees in night of rioting, The Daily Telegraph, 10 September 2011 Egyptian security forces clash with protesters, BBC News, 10 September 2011 Egypt declares state of alert in wake of attack on Israeli Embassy, CNN, 10 September 2011 The storming of Cairo's Israeli embassy: eyewitness account (part II), Ahram Online, 11 September 2011 Category:2011 crimes in Egypt Category:2011 in international relations Category:Diplomatic incidents Category:Egypt–Israel relations Category:Political controversies in Africa Category:Attacks on diplomatic missions of Israel Category:Attacks on diplomatic missions in Egypt Category:Egyptian Crisis (2011–2014) Category:History of Giza Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2011 Category:Egypt in the Arab–Israeli conflict Category:Anti-Israeli sentiment in Egypt