CAIRO: Nine Egyptians political groups claimed responsibility for the break-in of one of the lower levels of Israel's Embassy in Egypt last Friday night during a press conference at the press syndicate on Wednesday. The groups said in a statement that they share responsibility of the break-in of the embassy on “that historic day.” They demanded that an independent body would start an investigation into Friday events and demanded to know why live ammunition was used against unarmed protesters. They added that Egyptians “decided on that day to regain part of the state's dignity and the country's sovereignty by breaking into the embassy.” The 9 groups include the No Military Trials for Civilians group, the Kefaya movement, the Revolutionist Youth, al-A'mal al-Islamy political party, the Arabic Islamic Front to Support Palestine, the Bidaya movement and others. Over 100 people were randomly arrested outside the embassy on Friday and are facing charges of “vandalism and the forced entry of a diplomatic body.” At least three Egyptians died and over 1,000 were injured when military police forces engaged with protesters and fired tear gas and rubber bullets at them following the breaking. Thousands gathered outside the embassy on Friday calling for the cutting of all ties with Israel after the Israeli Defense Forces shot dead 6 Egyptian soldiers at the Sinai border last month. Non-stop protests outside the embassy led the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to give orders to erect a wall to protect the residential building where the embassy is located which many said provoked people to attack the embassy. The wall was tore down by protesters using everyday tools such as hammers and iron rods, while the police stood by watching. BM
