Security guard attacked at home in Jordan, killing two; embassy employees in lockdown

July 24, 2017   

An Israeli security guard at the Israeli embassy in Jordan was injured last night (Sunday) during an attempted stabbing attack at his home. The incident occurred when workers arrived to replace furniture in his apartment in the embassy compound. In addition to the security guard, the homeowner and two other workers were present. One of the workers sneaked up behind the security guard and stabbed him with a screwdriver. The security guard shot him in response, and the stabbing suspect was eliminated. The homeowner was also injured in the incident, and later died of his wounds. Israel requested the return of the embassy employees, led by Ambassador Einat Shalain, but Jordan refused, demanded that the security guard be interrogated, and is not allowing him to leave the country until he has been interrogated. The authorities in Amman conveyed to Israel an unequivocal message that the diplomatic immunity held by the man does not contradict their desire to investigate the incident. However, the security guard enjoys such immunity under the Vienna Convention - and therefore, according to international practice, the Jordanians do not have the right to interrogate him. Due to the division, the evacuation of the Israelis is suspended at this stage, and the embassy staff is besieged in the compound. Hectic talks are underway between Jerusalem and Amman with the aim of resolving the affair and allowing the staff remaining in the embassy to leave safely for Israel, with one solution being to allow the security guard to be interrogated on the embassy grounds in a very limited manner, thus ending the affair. In the meantime, the local interior minister is not allowing the Israeli security guard to cross the country's borders until he is interrogated by his country's security forces. Many security forces arrived in the area and closed off access to the compound, after the terrorist's family incited hundreds of locals to demonstrate around the embassy and not allow the Israeli staff to be evacuated. The family of the stabber, apparently a terrorist who wanted to carry out an attack amid tensions on the Temple Mount, is exerting widespread public pressure in Jordan, claiming that this was the murder of an "innocent" person by the security guard. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone tonight with the Israeli ambassador to Amman, Einat Shalin, and with a senior security official. The cabinet also discussed the exceptional event in Jordan overnight and will reconvene for another discussion today.