Israel Evacuates Envoy in Egypt Amid Protests

Protesters enter the embassy in Cairo
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 10, 2011 5:33 AM CDT
Israel Evacuates Envoy in Egypt Amid Protests
Egyptians demolish a concrete wall built around the Israeli embassy in Cairo.   (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Relations between Egypt and Israel took another turn for the worse today, as Israel evacuated its ambassador and staff from Cairo amid protests, reports Reuters. The move came after demonstrators destroyed a protective wall outside the Israeli embassy, tore down the flag, then got inside and tossed documents out windows. Egyptian authorities say at least three people were killed and about 1,000 injured as police and security forces clashed with protesters overnight outside the embassy.

Tensions between the nations have been going downhill in general since the fall of Hosni Mubarak, notes the New York Times, and especially since Israeli forces mistakenly killed five Egyptian police officers last month during a raid on Palestinian militants. Benjamin Netanyahu today called the attack on the embassy a "blatant violation of international norms," notes AP, and President Obama expressed "great concern," adds Haaretz. (More Egypt stories.)

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