UK Embassy Armed Stand-Off Ends in Tel Aviv

I watched the story unfold but I distracted by life and didn’t post an update on the armed stand-off at the UK Embassy in Tel Aviv. The Jerusalem Post carries this report.

A tense six-hour standoff ended safely Thursday night at the British Embassy in Tel Aviv, as police subdued a Palestinian demanding asylum in the United Kingdom. Police SWAT teams charged the man as he momentarily put down his pistol to eat food that had been brought to him. The pistol, police then discovered, was a toy.

Nadim Injaz, a 28-year-old Ramallah resident, allegedly jumped over the security gate surrounding the perimeter of the embassy compound on the corner of Rehov Hayarkon and Rehov Arlozoroff, and entered the embassy building at approximately 3:45 Thursday afternoon. Embassy employees said that he held the gun to his head and threatened to kill himself if he was not granted asylum in the United Kingdom, demanding that an airplane be sent to nearby Sde Dov airport to carry him to Europe.

British officials made an immediate decision to invite Israeli police to enter the embassy compound, which is considered sovereign British territory. According to embassy officials, security guards asked their commanders whether they should attempt to apprehend Injaz, but were told to wait for Israeli police teams.

Crack SWAT teams, as well as the YASAM unit and hostage negotiators arrived on the scene, under the command of Tel Aviv District Commander Cmdr. David Tzur. But after long hours of negotiation, Injaz refused to change his demands, and the situation was stalemated. All non-essential embassy staff was evacuated from the compound, as the standoff continued in the embassy parking lot.

What can I say? I am forever grateful that I don't work for the British foreign office but a private employer. The morning after this attack I hope that the British Embassy is reviewing their security procedures. It is rather amazing in this day and age for an embassy to have such slack security arrangements.

On the Ynet News report, the comments on this story are worth taking a look – if only for the few Israeli commenters who were shocked that a Palestinian was holding a gun to his own head rather than theirs. I agree with the Israeli commenter who laments that Israelis often treat their enemies better than their friends and allies.