Israel blames Palestinian incitement for attack at Athens embassy

No reports of injuries in incident in Greek capital; police investigating circumstances of reported shooting.

By HERB KEINON, REUTERS
Bullets holes are seen of the wall of the Israeli embassy in Athens December 12, 201 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Bullets holes are seen of the wall of the Israeli embassy in Athens December 12, 201
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Jerusalem placed the blame for the shots fired on the Israeli embassy in Athens on the Palestinian Authority and pro-Palestinian organizations around the world continuously engaging in anti-Israel incitement.
“The international community must condemn this continuing incitement which leads to these results,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nachshon.
Nachshon expressed Israel's appreciation to the Greek authorities for their close cooperation n investigating the incident, and hopes that the assailants will be quickly apprehended.
Unidentified assailants opened fire on the Israeli embassy in Athens with a Kalashnikov assault rifle in the early hours of Friday. No injuries were reported.
Four people on two motorcycles fired shots at the embassy building in a northern suburb of Athens, according to a police official . Bullets were lodged in the walls and 54 spent bullet cases were found about 40 meters (yards) from the building, police said.
The Greek government condemned the incident.
"Any terrorist attack hitting at the heart of democracy hits the heart of the country," government spokeswoman Sofia Voultepsi said.
Police have cordoned off the area around the embassy, which has not been a target in other acts of violence in Greece in recent years as an economic crisis raises social and political tensions.
Greece has long been considered a hotbed of anti-Israel sentiment due to the public's sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
In years past, the Greek government has forbidden its citizens from taking part in flotillas aimed at breaking Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The Jewish community has also been concerned over the rising popularity of far-right groups in Greece that openly espouse anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
Jpost.com Staff contributed to this report.