Munich, March 7 – A police operation at the Israeli Consulate General in Munich on Saturday concluded with an all-clear after a suspicious backpack found nearby was deemed harmless. The incident began when a man threw stones at the consulate building, shouting “Allahu akbar!”
Police Response and Road Closures
The incident prompted extensive road closures around Karolinenplatz, and residents were advised to stay off their balconies. A robot was initially deployed to examine the suspicious backpack. However, according to eyewitnesses, the robot collided with a window, necessitating the deployment of emergency personnel in protective suits. The police confirmed the incident, stating that investigations into the background and whether the backpack belonged to the stone-thrower are ongoing. The contents of the backpack were not disclosed by the police spokesperson.
Consul General Expresses Outrage
Talya Lador-Fresher, the Israeli Consul General for Southern Germany, expressed her dismay on Instagram, stating, “Once again an attempt to attack our Consulate General. Terror and deadly ideology know no bounds, and it is our common goal to live without threats.” She thanked the Munich police for their swift response.
History of Incidents at the Consulate
This is not the first time the Israeli Consulate General in Munich has been targeted. In the past two years, the consulate has faced several attacks:
- May 22, 2024: Unknown individuals threw a dummy Molotov cocktail, a plastic bottle containing a ball, over the security fence. Security experts suggested this could have been an Iran-initiated test to gauge the reaction of German security authorities.
- September 2024: An 18-year-old from Austria, with Islamist motives, carried out an attack on the consulate, firing a long gun. He was subsequently shot and killed by Munich police.
- June 24, 2025: Police discovered an Israeli flag smeared with red, seemingly bloody handprints, attached to the obelisk on Karolinenplatz, visible from the consulate. An organization calling itself “Alpenguerilla Aktion Bayern” claimed responsibility, stating the act was against Israel, Germany, and the USA. This occurred two days after US bombers reportedly attacked Iranian nuclear facilities.
- April 2024: An agent, allegedly working for the Iranian regime, spied on addresses of Jewish and Israeli institutions in Munich.
The recent incident underscores the ongoing security concerns surrounding diplomatic missions in the region. The swift and decisive action by the Munich police ensured the safety of the public and the consulate staff.
