Left-wing extremists storm Israeli embassy in London
By Sharon Sadeh, Ha'aretz Correspndent
Dozens of demonstrators from the radical left stormed the Israeli embassy in London on Monday and attempted to enter the building. The embassy decided to prevent the incident from being reported in the media, which is why it was only revealed on Friday.
Scotland Yard said Friday that at 1:50 P.M. on Monday British police were dispatched to the Israeli Embassy following a report that some 20 or more demonstrators attempted to scale the fence surrounding the compound. The demonstrators were alarmed and left the area. One man, in his twenties, received medical treatment at the scene. London police took no additional action in the matter.
According to eyewitnesses, the demonstrators climbed the fence surrounding the embassy compound and tried to enter. According to a security source, the goal of the demonstrators was "to destroy everything in their way." Security guards for the embassy, with the help of a large London police force dispatched to the scene, were able to fend off the demonstrators after violent scuffles, during which one of the demonstrators was lightly injured.
During the incident, embassy workers were instructed to remain inside the building until the demonstrators were removed.
The embassy, in consultation with security officials, decided to impose a media blackout on the incident, apparently with the goal of preventing alarm in the Jewish community in Great Britain. Security sources did say, however, that this was the first time in recent years that the embassy was subject to a violent attack. |
