Egypt Embassy Thugs Get Slap on Wrist
An Egyptian court sentenced 76 citizens in the September 2011 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo.
Some 74 of the convicted protesters on Sunday were given one-year suspended prison sentences, one was sent to a juvenile detention center, and one, a former police officer who fled the country after criticizing the Mubarak regime, was sentenced to five years in prison in absentia, the Egyptian daily Al Masry Al Youm reported.
More than 1,000 Egyptians demonstrated at the embassy September 9, 2011, many after an Egyptian Facebook group called on protesters to gather at the embassy and “urinate on the wall.” During the demonstration, protesters tore down the Israeli flag from the high-rise building’s roof for the second time in a month.
The protesters broke down the 8-foot-high security wall surrounding the embassy compound and entered the building, requiring the evacuation of Israel’s ambassador to Egypt, embassy personnel, their families and Israelis staying at the embassy.
Six security employees stranded in the building were later removed by an Egyptian commando unit during a rescue operation.
Three people were killed and more than 1,000 injured in the riots.
The riots came after six Egyptian security personnel were killed in August 2011 as Israel pursued the bombers of a civilian bus near Eilat.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
