Unidentified assailants opened fire on the Israeli Embassy in the Greek capital Athens with a Kalashnikov assault rifle in the early hours of Friday, police said, but no injuries or damage were reported.
Shots were reportedly fired from a motorcycle passing in front of the embassy, which is located on the corner of a busy highway. Moments later, two other persons on a second motorcycle participated in the attack that took place at 3:20 am local time, according to Greek police. Bullets were lodged in the walls, while 15 spent bullet cases were found about 40 meters from the building.
Police cordoned off the area around the embassy, which has not been a target in other acts of violence in Greece in recent years as an economic crisis raises social and political tensions. Shots were also fired at the German ambassador's residence in Athens last year.
Greece has long been considered a hotbed of anti-Israel sentiment due to the public's sympathy for the Palestinian cause. In years past, the Greek government has forbidden its citizens from taking part in flotillas aimed at breaking Israel's naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Jewish community has also been concerned over the rising popularity of far-right groups in Greece that openly espouse anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
