Egyptian protestors attack Israeli embassy

09 Sep, 2011

The Israeli ambassador to Egypt and most of the embassy staff have flown out of the country in the wake of attacks on the embassy by protestors, which broke out after prayers on Friday.

Only the consular section of the Israeli embassy was entered but Egyptian security forces have been battling protestors to prevent further damage and access to the building. Police and military have struggled to contain the violence and official reports say that about 400 people have been injured in the protests.

Anger against Israel has been running high in Egypt since the killing in mid-August of five Egyptian policemen by Israelis during a series of cross-border attacks. Recently a protective wall was erected around the embassy in Cairo but this has now become a focus for protestors who want it pulled down.

The attack on the embassy is also seen as a sign of the increasing anger of protestors against Egypt