Fear of attack - embassy closes

 

Israel

Israel's embassy in Sweden is closed - fear of attack

Matthias Kjellman

Updated 18.48 | Published 16.23

 

Embassy of Israel on Strandvägen in Stockholm. Photo: Carolina Byrmo

During Friday, Israel decided to close its embassy in Stockholm.

The conflict with Iran and a concern about revenge attacks is one of the reasons, the embassy confirms to Aftonbladet.

- We are concerned that attacks may occur. That is why we are closed, says the embassy staff.

Israel is reported to be keeping close to 30 embassies closed for fear of revenge attacks during the so-called Quds Day, when Iran spreads the regime's opposition to Israel.

Israel's embassy in Sweden has also chosen to close on Friday.

- The embassy was closed today and it is because of the situation between Israel and Iran, says one of the embassy staff.

Ziv Nevo Kulman is Israel's ambassador to Sweden. Photo: Mikaela Landeström/TT

The government of Israel asked its embassies around the world to remain closed and the embassy in Sweden has decided to follow the call.

But they believe that the shaky relationship with Iran is not the only reason why they choose to remain closed.

Another reason is that the last days of Ramadan will be celebrated in the coming days, which they also consider to be a risk for the embassy.
 

Closed - unclear for how long

The embassy does not state how long they can conceivably remain closed.

- We are not afraid, but we are concerned that attacks may occur. That is why we are closed, says the embassy staff.

Closed. Photo: Carolina Byrmo

Even in the Middle East, concerns about an upcoming Iranian revenge attack are rising as a result of Monday's attack on Iran's consulate in Syria - which Israel is believed to be behind.

16 people were killed in the attack, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

It is feared that any revenge attacks could lead to the war between Israel and Hamas escalating to the entire Middle East region.

- The collapse of the Zionist regime is absolutely possible and imminent, says Hossein Salami, head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, in a speech in Tehran on Friday.