Burning the Israeli flag at Israel's embassy in Cairo, 2011. (photo credit:GIGI IBRAHIM FROM CAIRO/WIKIMEDIA)
Times Of Israel: PM says he threatened raid on besieged Cairo embassy in 2011
Former Foreign Ministry officials dismiss claims that imminent rescue operation pushed Egypt to evacuate staff from angry mob.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that amid the 2011 popular uprising in Egypt, he threatened to send troops to Cairo to evacuate staff besieged by demonstrators inside the Israeli embassy. He later clarified that any rescue operation would have been coordinated with Cairo.
Speaking at a Foreign Ministry ceremony ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day for soldiers and victims of terror, Netanyahu said the move was intended to pressure Egypt into sending its own security forces to rescue the trapped Israelis.
“Here, a few years ago, in the Foreign Ministry situation room, we faced an ever-tightening siege on our people in the Israeli embassy in Cairo,” Netanyahu, who is acting foreign minister, told diplomats and ministry staff.
Read more ....
Update #1: PM reveals: Israel threatened to send forces to free security officials from besieged Cairo embassy -- Jerusalem Post
Update #2: Netanyahu says he threatened raid to rescue Israelis from Cairo embassy in 2011 -- Reuters
WNU Editor: it is a good thing that this not happen .... such an armed incursion into the heart of Cairo would have probably created quite a response. The Israeli PM's office has since clarified these earlier remarks .... Netanyahu: We never threatened unilateral military steps in Cairo embassy crisis (i24 News).
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