(Communicated by the MFA Spokesperson)
An Israeli security officer at the embassy in Amman was stabbed yesterday (23 July 2017) by a Jordanian worker who had entered the embassy compound for routine furniture replacement.
The security officer, the Jordanian landlord and two Jordanian workers were present. One of the workers attacked the Israeli security official from the rear and began stabbing him with a screwdriver.
The security official, who was slightly wounded, defended himself. During the incident, the Jordanian worker was killed, but the landlord was injured as well. He later died of his wounds.
In accordance with the Vienna Convention, the security officer has immunity from investigation and imprisonment.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Eynat Schlein, Israel’s ambassador to Jordan, and with the security official.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and security authorities are working with the Jordanian government over various channels.
The Cabinet has discussed this issue and the Temple Mount issue, and will continue to hold discussions on this matter during the course of the day.
PM Netanyahu's remarks following incident at embassy in Amman
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Monday, 24 July 2017), made the following remarks at the start of his meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili:
"I spoke twice overnight with Israeli Ambassador to Jordan Eynat Shlein and with the security guard. I gained the impression that she is managing matters there very well. I assured the security guard that we will see to bringing him back to Israel; we have experience in this. I told both of them that we are holding ongoing contacts with security and government officials in Amman, on all levels, in order to bring the incident to a close as quickly as possible.
The Jordanian Ambassador to Israel arrived at the Foreign Ministry this morning and was asked to assist on the matter.
We are also holding contacts on various other channels with one objective – to bring the incident to a close and to bring our people to Israel. And we are doing this determinedly and responsibly.
Thus we are also acting regarding the right way to ensure security and quiet on the Temple Mount, in the Old City and in Jerusalem as a whole.
To this end, the Security Cabinet will reconvene on the issue later today."
Personnel from the Israeli Embassy in Jordan Return to Israel; PM Netanyahu Speaks with Amb. Shlain and Security Guard who was stabbed
(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Personnel from the Israeli Embassy in Jordan, headed by Ambassador Einat Shlain crossed the Allenby Bridge into Israel earlier this evening (Monday, 24 July 2017). Among the staff was the security guard who was injured last night in a stabbing attack in Amman. All are well.
The return of the Embassy personnel was made possible thanks to the close cooperation that took place over the past 24 hours between Israel and Jordan.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke a short time ago with Ambassador Shlain and the security guard, inquired after their well-being and welcomed them.