1999 attack on Israeli Consulate in Berlin

1999 attack on Israeli Consulate in Berlin was an attack by PKK supporters on the Israeli consulate in Berlin on February 17, 1999. Three people died and 14 injured.^[1]

Background

In October 1998 Abdullah Öcalan leader of PKK was forced to leave Syria to Moscow, Russia, where he was not allowed to stay then he flew to Rome, Italy. The Italian government did not want to allow Öcalan, however they were legally not permitted to extradite him to Turkey where he could face death penalty. After being denied entrance to Germany, the Netherlands and France, Öcalan went to the Greece February 1, 1999. He was captured in on February 15, 1999, while being transferred from the Greek embassy to Jomo Kenyata international airport Nairobi, in an operation by the Millî İstihbarat Teşkilâtı with alleged help of CIA or Mossad.^[2]

The Attack

Worldwide protests broke out after the news of Öcalan's capture. On February 17, 55 to 200 PKK supporters armed with iron bars stormed the Israeli consulate in Berlin, accusing the Mossad of helping the Turkish government in kidnapping Öcalan, when the protesters managed to break through police ranks and enter the consulate building took an Israeli woman staff member hostage, Israel Defense Forces opened fire on the attackers killing three and injuring 14. Later German police arrested 30 PKK supporters and cordoned off all area and helicopters circled over consulate building.^[3]

Aftermath

Netanyahu defended the actions of defense forces, claiming that protesters attempted to take a weapon from one of the security forces. Israel increased the guard on all its missions abroad.^[4]

References