Police outside Israeli Embassy in Athens (archive)
Police outside Israeli Embassy in Athens (archive)Reuters

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned Friday’s terror attack on the Israeli embassy in Athens, Greece, referring to the incident as “cowardly" and expressing confidence in the ability of the Greek authorities to address the incident “with the utmost seriousness” by bringing the perpetrators to justice.

A gunman riding on the back of motorcycle raked the embassy with at least 54 rounds from a Kalashnikov rifle, police said, as it passed the embassy, which sits on the corner of a busy road in the chic northern suburbs of the Greek capital.

Another two people on a second motorcycle were suspected of also taking part in the attack, which happened at 3:20 a.m. local time.

“Whoever perpetrated this cowardly terror attack should know that it will neither intimidate Israel nor affect the strong Greek-Israeli relationship,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

“Just weeks ago, we visited Athens and heard about the strength of that strategic partnership from both Israeli ambassador Irit Ben-Abba and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos. Having discussed security issues with Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias during the visit, we know that the security forces will address this incident with the utmost seriousness, and have every confidence in their ability to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.”

“We also believe the people of Greece will reject this terrorist attack,” Mr. Foxman added. “While there is a common perception that the Greek public is anti-Israel, our polling revealed that 41 percent of respondents have favorable views of Israel, compared to 32 percent with unfavorable views.”

Anti-terrorist police said first indications pointed to the far-left People's Fighter group as being responsible. They have been blamed for three attacks, including one on the German embassy and another on the offices of the ruling conservative New Democracy party.

But the League also noted that anti-Semitic attitudes may be to blame, adding in a press release that its recent polling on anti-Semitic attitudes in 100 countries found that 69 percent of respondents in Greece agreed with a majority of anti-Semitic stereotypes tested, resulting in the highest score outside of the Middle East and North Africa.