The Israeli Embassy in Cairo continues to be homeless since its staff was forced to evacuate in September 2011 following a mob attack on the embassy's building in Cairo's Giza Directorate. According to the Foreign Ministry, no one in Egypt is willing to rent offices to house the embassy. During the week, Israeli Ambassador Yaakov Amitai works in Cairo, but leaves Egypt on the weekends. "Those who agree [to rent space to the embassy] are asking for an amount of money with which you can rent an entire neighborhood," the Foreign Ministry said this week. In September of last year, a mob of angry Egyptian protesters attacked the embassy, trapping six security guards inside and prompting the emergency evacuation of all but one member of Israel's diplomatic staff in the country. To reach the compound, Egyptian security forces had to clear a path through the rioters, and in doing so, killed three Egyptians and wounded 1,000 more. Egyptian sources said the attack was sparked by anger over the accidental killing of six Egyptian police officers near the border by Israeli forces in pursuit of terrorists who had killed eight Israelis in a cross-border attack in mid-August. In March, Israel cleared out its embassy building in Egypt. Officials said that two Israeli military planes left Cairo, loaded with documents, furniture and office equipment that were removed from the embassy. Israeli officials said at the time that diplomats were staying on in Egypt and there was no change in ties, but a delay in finding new premises after the embassy was stormed last year had prompted the decision to remove the contents from Egypt.
