Embassy Under Siege: Why Islamist Attacks on Israeli Missions in Europe Are on the Rise Again

Oct 23

The Foiled Attack in Germany

In late 2023, German authorities successfully thwarted a planned attack on the Israeli embassy in Berlin, orchestrated by a Libyan national with ties to ISIL. The individual, Omar A., had entered Germany under an asylum claim, which was later rejected, and had been in communication with ISIL operatives about executing an attack with firearms on Israeli diplomatic personnel. The foiled plot is one of several recent attempts by Islamist extremists to target Israeli embassies across Europe, as tensions in the Middle East escalate and Europe’s security vulnerabilities are exposed.

The attack comes amid rising tensions driven by the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, with European countries becoming focal points for retaliation by Islamist groups. These attempts are part of a broader pattern of anti-Israel violence in Europe, where embassies and Jewish institutions have historically been targeted. The resurgence of these attacks today reflects a confluence of geopolitical, ideological, and regional factors that continue to fuel terrorism in Europe.

The Recent Surge in Attacks on Israeli Embassies

Over the past several years, a number of significant incidents have illustrated how Islamist groups have resumed their focus on Israeli embassies in Europe. These incidents have coincided with increasing hostilities in the Middle East, as well as a rise in global Islamist extremist activity. The attack in Germany, for instance, mirrors similar attempts in other European capitals, particularly those with larger Jewish populations or countries openly aligned with Israel.

In Copenhagen, for example, a plot to bomb the Israeli embassy in 2022 was foiled by Danish intelligence, linked to an Islamist cell with ties to foreign fighters returning from Syria. Similar threats have been intercepted in Stockholm, where security services have heightened measures around Israeli diplomatic missions following the October 2023 escalation in Gaza.

These attacks are driven largely by the same motivations as those in past decades, but today, they are also fueled by newer dynamics—such as the proliferation of online radicalization networks, heightened anti-Israel sentiment due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and a rise in lone-wolf actors radicalized via digital channels.

Historical Context: A Persistent Pattern of Anti-Israel Violence in Europe

While the recent wave of attacks might seem like a new phenomenon, they are, in fact, part of a long history of violence directed at Israeli institutions in Europe. Israeli embassies have long been seen as symbols of Israel’s presence and policies, making them prime targets for extremist groups looking to make a political statement. Notable historical attacks illustrate how long-standing this issue has been and how it continues to evolve.

One of the earliest attacks took place in Paris in 1982, when gunmen linked to Abu Nidal's Palestinian extremist faction stormed the Israeli embassy, killing six and wounding over 20. This attack was part of a broader campaign by Palestinian militants to target Israeli diplomatic facilities and disrupt Israel's foreign relations through acts of violence.

In 1992, another devastating attack rocked Buenos Aires, Argentina, where a massive bomb exploded at the Israeli embassy, killing 29 people. The bombing, attributed to Hezbollah with Iranian backing, was a clear demonstration of how proxy groups, often supported by state actors, used embassies as battlegrounds for geopolitical conflicts.

Such attacks continued into the 2000s, with attempts in London and other cities marking a steady persistence of anti-Israeli violence on foreign soil. The methods have changed, but the target—Israeli embassies—has remained constant. These institutions are seen as representations of Israel’s policies, both towards Palestinians and the broader Arab world, making them focal points for groups that seek to challenge Israel’s legitimacy and retaliate against perceived injustices.

Why Attacks Are Surging Now: A Perfect Storm of Factors

The resurgence of attacks on Israeli embassies in recent years is driven by a combination of new and old factors. Chief among these is the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, which reached a new level of intensity in 2023, leading to heightened tensions across the globe. Each flare-up in the Middle East tends to reverberate in Europe, as Islamist groups and sympathizers seek to retaliate against Israel’s actions by targeting its institutions abroad.

In particular, the rise of ISIL-inspired lone-wolf attacks has complicated the threat landscape. These individuals, like Omar A. in Germany, often operate independently but are radicalized through online networks or by sympathizing with global jihadist ideologies that view Israel as a primary enemy. Many of these attackers have minimal direct contact with organized terror groups, but their motivations align with the long-standing objectives of groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and ISIL, which consider Israeli embassies to be legitimate targets.

Additionally, Europe’s large Muslim population and its proximity to the Middle East make it a convenient staging ground for these attacks. Discontentment among some segments of Muslim communities in Europe, coupled with the perception that European governments are staunch allies of Israel, can foster an environment where Islamist extremists find support for their radical agendas. As these populations are exposed to anti-Israel rhetoric through social media and extremist propaganda, the risk of localized support for attacks on Israeli interests grows.

The geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel also play a significant role in this resurgence. Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups have historically targeted Israeli embassies as part of a broader proxy war between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Iran’s support for such operations has not waned, particularly as the country faces increased isolation and sanctions. For Iran and its proxies, targeting Israeli embassies abroad remains a way to strike back without engaging in direct military conflict.

The Challenge for European Security Forces

European security services are well aware of the threat posed by Islamist extremists targeting Israeli embassies, but preventing these attacks remains a complex challenge. The sheer number of potential attackers, coupled with the increasing sophistication of lone-wolf actors, makes it difficult to identify and intercept every plot before it becomes actionable.

In Germany, the successful foiling of Omar A.’s plot illustrates the importance of international intelligence cooperation, as well as the need for constant vigilance in monitoring extremist networks. However, the risk remains high, as the volatile situation in the Middle East shows no signs of abating, and every escalation in Gaza or the West Bank risks inspiring more retaliatory actions in Europe.

Recent years have also seen increased pressure on European countries to ramp up security around Jewish institutions and embassies, a trend that is likely to continue as attacks persist. The 2023 attacks serve as reminders that even with heightened security, Europe’s diplomatic missions remain at risk, and preventing further violence will require not only tactical responses but also broader strategic efforts to mitigate radicalization and prevent the spread of extremist ideologies.

Final Thoughts

The recent attempts to attack Israeli embassies across Europe, including the thwarted plot in Germany, are part of a continuing pattern of anti-Israel violence that has existed for decades. However, the resurgence of these attacks in the modern era reflects a more complex and multifaceted threat landscape, driven by both global geopolitical dynamics and localized grievances within European societies. As tensions between Israel and its adversaries in the Middle East continue to flare, European countries will remain on the front lines of this conflict, facing an ever-present risk of attacks on Israeli institutions within their borders.