An attack on the Israeli embassy in Athens on Friday has been blamed on the continuing anti-Israel incitement disseminated around the world by the Palestinian Authority.
Foreign Ministry officials said in a statement over the weekend, “The international community must condemn this continuing incitement that leads to these results.
“Israel thanks the Greek authorities for their close cooperation in investigating the incident,” a Foreign Ministry person said.
“We are hopeful that the perpetrators will be caught and punished.”
The embassy building was sprayed with gunfire at 3:20 am Friday, according to the AFP news agency. Two gunmen riding on the back of motorcycles had aimed at least 54 rounds from a Kalashnikov while passing the embassy, situated at the corner of a busy intersection in an affluent northern Athens suburb.
“There were two bursts of gunfire … they must have emptied an entire clip,” a gas station attendant told reporters in a television news report.
Kalashnikov assault rifles used in the attack were also used in a similar assault on the German ambassador’s residence last December, Greek police said. They told reporters late Friday a far-left group, the People’s Fighter Group, was likely responsible for the attack. Both American and German offices have been targeted by terrorists in previous attacks last year, and in 2007.
But government minister Vassilis Kikilias told the Ana news agency while inspecting the scene of the attack, “No one is going to affect the relations between Greece and Israel.” Government spokesperson Sophia Vultepsi added that Athens is taking “determined steps” against terror groups.
Israel and Greece have good relations, but the government has been very critical of Israeli policies towards the Palestinian Authority, and the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party has gained popularity in the co