List of attacks against Israeli embassies and diplomats

This is a list of attacks on Israeli embassies and diplomats since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

List

Date Location Details Type of attack Deaths
8 September 1969 Netherlands The Hague, Netherlands
West Germany Bonn, West Germany
Belgium Brussels, Belgium 		1969 Israeli embassies and El Al attacks: The embassies in The Hague and Bonn, and the Brussels office of Israel's national airline El Al were attacked with explosives within minutes of each other. Three El Al employees and a customer were wounded in the Brussels attack, while the other two bombings caused no injuries.[1][2][3] See Bomb none
4 May 1970 Paraguay Asuncion, Paraguay 1970 Asunción Israeli Embassy attack: Two armed Palestinians broke into the embassy and opened fire. A secretary, Edna Pe'er, was killed, and a local worker was injured. The perpetrators were apprehended and sentenced to long prison terms. Shooting 1
17 May 1971 Turkey Ankara, Turkey Assassination of Efraim Elrom: People's Liberation Army of Turkey (THKO) militants kidnapped Consul-general in Istanbul Efraim Elrom, demanding the Turkish government release imprisoned THKO militants. After the government refused, the militants killed Elrom.[4][5] Kidnapping and murder 1
11 September 1972 Belgium Brussels, Belgium Embassy clerk Ophir Zadok was shot in the head and stomach. He had gone to a café after having received a telephone call from a Moroccan man reportedly identifying himself as Mohammed Ahmed Rabbat and offering to provide intel. At his trial, the perpetrator claimed to be a member of Fatah. The organization later claimed responsibility.[1][2][6] Assassination attempt none
19 September 1972 United Kingdom London, United Kingdom Agricultural attaché Ami Shchori was killed by the explosion of a letter bomb sent to him. The Black September Organization claimed responsibility. Assassination 1
28 December 1972 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Israeli Bangkok Embassy hostage crisis: Four men forcibly entered the embassy, taking six personnel hostage, including the visiting ambassador to Cambodia, Shimon Avimor, and released them unharmed 19 hours later.[1][2] Hostage-taking none
1 July 1973 United States Washington, D.C., United States Yosef Alon, air force attaché, was shot to death outside his home. The case was never solved, but the FBI reopened the case in 2017 after a reporter discovered possible new leads connecting the assassination to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).[7] Assassination 1
28 April 1975 South Africa Johannesburg, South Africa David Protter, a South African Jew serving as assistant security officer at the consulate with “some political ax to grind” held 21 persons hostage inside the facility, including three children, but later released five wounded persons and the children. Subsequent shootouts left two persons dead and more than 33 wounded, mostly bystanders. After 16 hours, he was subdued by South African security forces who stormed the building.[8] Hostage-taking 2
1 August 1978 Belgium Brussels, Belgium Two bazookas directed at the embassy were discovered and safely dismantled. The PLO was accused of the attempted attack.[1][2] attempted rocket attack none
5 April 1979 Cyprus Nicosia, Cyprus A bomb exploded in the embassy. No one was injured. The Syrian-backed Palestinian group As-Sa'iqa claimed responsibility.[1][2][9] bombing none
14 May 1979 Turkey Istanbul, Turkey A plot to abduct Israeli and U.S. consuls was uncovered. Two men belonging to a PLO-allied Turkish group were shot and killed.[1][2] Attempted kidnapping 2 (perpetrators)
13 November 1979 Portugal Lisbon, Portugal Ambassador Ephraim Eldar was wounded in an assassination attempt that also killed an embassy guard and wounded the ambassador's chauffeur and a local policeman . Assassination attempt 1
10 August 1981 Austria Vienna, Austria
Greece Athens, Greece 		Two bombs were hurled into the embassy in Vienna early in the morning, injuring a 75-year old woman and damaging a house adjoining the embassy. Later the same day, two explosive devices detonated outside the diplomatic mission in Athens, causing slight damage to the building.[1][2][10] bombing none
3 April 1982 France Paris, France A young woman shot and killed Ya'acov Bar-Simantov, attaché in the embassy, outside his home. The Revolutionary Armed Factions of Lebanon claimed responsibility for the attack. The perpetrator escaped. Assassination 1
4 June 1982 United Kingdom London, United Kingdom Ambassador Shlomo Argov was shot in the head when leaving a diplomatic affair at the Dorchester Hotel, suffering severe injuries that debilitated him until his death in 2003. The three perpetrators, who were members of the Abu Nidal Organization, were apprehended, tried and sentenced to 30-35 years imprisonment. The shooting was used as Israel’s justification for its decision to invade Lebanon two days later to rout Palestinian guerrilla bases. Assassination 1
23 September 1982 Malta Valletta, Malta Esther Milo, the Charge d'Affaires was almost kidnapped by four men as she was about to enter her car. The attempt failed and Milo was only lightly injured. The attack was attributed to Abu Nidal.[1][2] attempted kidnapping none
2 December 1982 Ecuador Quito, Ecuador Quito Israeli Embassy bombing: A bomb concealed in a suitcase exploded in the building housing the embassy. Two local policemen were killed and a local woman was injured. The building suffered considerable damage. A local organization claimed responsibility. bombing 2
23 December 1982 Australia Sydney, Australia Sydney Israeli Consulate and Hakoah Club bombings: A bomb exploded in the consulate building. Two people were wounded, including a local employee. The Abu Ibrahim faction claimed responsibility.[1][2][11][12] bombing none
5 June 1984 Egypt Cairo, Egypt Zvi Kedar, embassy attaché, was wounded in the hand when he was shot from a passing car as he was about to enter his home in Cairo.[1][2][13] Assassination attempt none
28 June 1984 Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka A bomb was detonated near a hotel room occupied by a diplomat. The explosion caused damage to the room but no injuries.[2] bombing none
4 October 1984 Cyprus Nicosia, Cyprus A car bomb exploded in the parking lot of the embassy. The building suffered severe damage. No one was injured. Responsibility was claimed by Abu Musa, the Syrian-backed faction of the PLO led by Said al-Muragha.[1][2] bombing none
20 August 1985 Egypt Cairo, Egypt An embassy employee, Albert Atrakchi, was shot and killed while driving in his car. His wife and an embassy secretary were wounded. Responsibility was claimed by the Egyptian Islamic Jihad. assault 1
19 March 1986 Egypt Cairo, Egypt Eti Telor, wife of an Embassy employee, was killed and three embassy employees were injured in an attack on their car, near the Israel pavilion at the Cairo Trade Fair. assault 1
16 February 1988 Philippines Manila, Philippines An explosive device was detonated outside the embassy. There were no injuries.[2][14] Bombing none
12 May 1988 Cyprus Nicosia, Cyprus 1988 Nicosia Israeli Embassy bombing: A car bomb exploded near the embassy, killing three policemen. The Abu Nidal Organization claimed responsibility.[15] Bombing 3
7 March 1992 Turkey Ankara, Turkey Ehud Sadan, Embassy Chief of Security was killed by an explosive device attached to his car. Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah and the Islamic Revenge Organization claimed responsibility. Assassination 1
17 March 1992 Argentina Buenos Aires, Argentina 1992 attack on Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires: A suicide bomb demolished the embassy. Approximately 300 people were wounded. Among the dead were four Israeli personnel, four local employees, and bystanders, including elderly residents of a nearby nursing home, and schoolchildren on a passing bus. Bombing 30
11 March 1994 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand A hijacked truck laden with explosives was intercepted on its way to carry out an attack against the embassy after hitting a motorcycle. The perpetrator fled the scene, leaving the body of the murdered driver in the vehicle. Attempted bombing 1
26 July 1994 United Kingdom London, United Kingdom 1994 London Israeli embassy bombing: A bomb exploded outside the embassy, injuring several personnel. Two British-educated Palestinians, Samar Alami and Jawad Botmeh, were convicted of the attack and received 20-year prison sentences in 1996.[16] Bombing none
22 September 1997 Jordan Amman, Jordan Gunmen shot and wounded two Israeli embassy security personnel. The Jordanian Islamic Resistance claimed responsibility.[17] Shooting none
1 October 1998 Belgium Brussels, Belgium A grenade was found and safely dismantled outside the embassy. attempted grenade attack none
17 February 1999 Germany Berlin, Germany Israeli consulate attack in Berlin: Some 100 PKK supporters broke into the consulate general in protest over the Mossad's alleged role in the capture of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. Israeli security guards shot and killed three intruders in self-defense after they took a woman hostage and tried to seize weapons. assault 3 (perpetrators)
30 July 2004 Uzbekistan Tashkent, Uzbekistan 2004 Tashkent suicide bombings: The ambassador's personal bodyguard and four local policemen were killed in a dual suicide bombing outside the Israeli and American embassies. Bombing 7
1 February 2008 Mauritania Nouakchott, Mauritania 2008 attack on the Israeli embassy in Mauritania: Shots were fired at the embassy by members of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Three local residents were wounded. Shooting none
9 September 2011 Egypt Cairo, Egypt 2011 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Egypt: Demonstrators protesting the deaths of Egyptian soldiers killed by the Israel Defense Forces in the course of counter-terrorist operations along their common border stormed the embassy. Only after US president Barack Obama's intervention did Egyptian security forces break through the crowds in order to rescue six Israeli security guards who were trapped inside. assault none
13 February 2012 India New Delhi, India
Georgia (country) Tbilisi, Georgia 		2012 attacks on Israeli diplomats: In New Delhi, a diplomat’s wife was wounded when a bomb exploded in her car while she was on her way to work. In Georgia, an embassy worker noticed a bomb attached to the bottom of his car and alerted authorities who dismantled the device before it was detonated. Bombing none
14 February 2012 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand Three separate blasts injured five people and blew the legs off one of the bombers, an Iranian national who was fleeing the scene of the attacks when a grenade he was holding slipped out of his hand and detonated beside him. Authorities believed that the intended targets were Israeli diplomatic facilities and personnel. Bombing none
23 July 2017 Jordan Amman, Jordan 2017 Amman incident: The deputy director of security of the embassy was attacked with a screwdriver. The official then shot and killed the attacker. A Jordanian landlord was also inadvertently shot and later pronounced dead. The attacker was a carpenter who came to install furniture at an apartment rented by the embassy either inside or near the embassy compound[18] Screwdriver attack 2
13 October 2023 China Beijing, China An embassy employee was stabbed and injured by a foreign national.[19] Knife attack none
31 January 2024 Sweden Stockholm, Sweden A "live" and "dangerous object" was discovered outside the embassy by police and destroyed in a controlled detonation.[20] Attempted bombing none
21 March 2024 Netherlands The Hague, Netherlands A man was arrested after throwing a burning object at the embassy.[21] Arson attack none
29 May 2024 Mexico Mexico City, Mexico Protestors demonstrating against the Israel-Hamas War threw molotov cocktails at the embassy.[22] Arson attack none
3 June 2024 Romania Bucharest, Romania A man was arrested after throwing a molotov cocktail at the embassy.[23] Arson attack none
29 June 2024 Serbia Belgrade, Serbia 2024 attack on the Israeli embassy in Belgrade: A man injured a police officer guarding the Israeli embassy using a crossbow. The officer in turn shot dead the attacker.[24] Crossbow attack 1 (perpetrator)
5 September 2024 Germany Munich, Germany 2024 Munich shooting: A man accused of involvement in a terrorist organization opened fire at the Israeli consulate and the Munich Documentation Centre for the History of National Socialism before being shot dead by police.[25] Shooting 1 (perpetrator)
1 October 2024 Sweden Stockholm, Sweden Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the Israeli embassy.[26] According to Swedish security service SAPO, Iran may have been involved in both the 1 and 2 October attacks in Stockholm and Copenhagen.[27] Shooting none
2 October 2024 Denmark Copenhagen, Denmark Two hand grenades were detonated 100 meters away from the Israeli embassy, damaging a terrace of another building and resulting in the arrest of three Swedish nationals.[28][29] According to Swedish security service SAPO, Iran may have been involved in both the 1 and 2 October attacks in Stockholm and Copenhagen.[27] Grenade attack none

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Previous Major Attacks Against Israeli Embassies and Diplomats With Israelis Shot". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Major Terror Attacks against Israeli Embassies and Representatives Abroad". www.mfa.gov.il. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  3. ^ "The Airline War". The New York Times. 1970-03-01. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  4. ^ "Previous Major Attacks Against Israeli Embassies and Diplomats With Israelis Shot". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2021-06-24.
  5. ^ "Israeli Foreign Ministry: Terrorist Attacks". Archived from the original on 2014-05-25.
  6. ^ "A Phone-Call Trap". The New York Times. 1972-09-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  7. ^ "FBI reopens case of 1973 assassination of Israeli diplomat". Times of Israel. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Johannesburg Siege Ends; Police Hold Israeli Agent". The New York Times. 29 April 1975. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  9. ^ "Terrorist Incidents against Jewish Communities and Israeli Citizens Abroad, 1968-2003". www.ict.org.il. Archived from the original on 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  10. ^ "Terrorist Incidents against Jewish Communities and Israeli Citizens Abroad, 1968-2003". www.ict.org.il. Archived from the original on 2021-03-26. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  11. ^ "Bombing of the Israeli Consulate and Hakoah Club - NSW Police Public Site". www.police.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  12. ^ "3 HURT IN BOMBING AT ISRAELI CONSULATE IN SYDNEY". The New York Times. Ap. 1982-12-23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  13. ^ "Israeli Attache Is Shot In the Hand in Egypt". The New York Times. Ap. 1984-06-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  14. ^ "Bomb Hits Israeli Embassy in Manila; Security Beefed Up After PLO Threat". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 1988-02-17. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  15. ^ "3 Dead in Explosion of Car Bomb Near Israel's Embassy in Cyprus". The New York Times. AP. 1988-05-12. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
  16. ^ Pallister, David (2001-11-01). "Palestinians lose appeal on embassy bombing". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  17. ^ Cockburn, Patrick (1997-09-22). "Jordanian militants open fire on Israeli guards". The Independent. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  18. ^ "Senior Israeli Defense Official Heading to Jordan to Solve Embassy Crisis". Haaretz. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  19. ^ "An employee at the Israeli Embassy in China has been stabbed. A foreign suspect is detained". Associated Press. 14 October 2023. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  20. ^ "Swedish police destroy object outside Israeli embassy in Stockholm". BBC. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  21. ^ "'Burning object' thrown at Israeli embassy in The Hague". France 24. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  22. ^ "Mexico's election puts Lopez Obrador's stance on Israel under microscope". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Man detained in Romania's capital after allegedly attacking Israeli embassy with Molotov cocktail". Associated Press. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Crossbow assailant killed after attack at Israel embassy in Serbia". Al Jazeera. 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  25. ^ "Police say the gunman killed in Munich had fired at the Israeli Consulate". Associated Press. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Two explosions heard near Israeli Embassy in Copenhagen". Euronews. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  27. ^ a b Gozzi, Laura (2024-10-03). "Iran may be behind attacks on Israeli embassies, Sweden says". BBC. Retrieved 16 December 2024.
  28. ^ "Blasts, shooting around Israeli embassies in Nordic capitals". France 24. 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  29. ^ "2 Swedish teens face preliminary terror charges for explosions near the Israeli Embassy in Denmark". Associated Press. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.