Increased security measures announced following attacks on Israeli embassy in Stockholm

In January, staff at Israel’s embassy in Stockholm discovered a suspicious object deemed to be dangerous, which was subsequently neutralized by bomb disposal units. Following this incident, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced increased police security measures around the embassy and Jewish institutions in Sweden. The Swedish Security Service, Säpo, is investigating the event as a potential terrorist act. Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, reported that a hand grenade was thrown into the embassy area and alleged the attack was carried out on behalf of Iran.

In April, the Israeli embassy announced its closure after an attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, leading Iran and Syria to accuse Israel of being behind the incident. The Israeli government advised its embassies worldwide to close due to fears of retaliatory attacks.

In May, shots were fired near the embassy in Östermalm, Stockholm. A 14-year-old boy was apprehended nearby and later taken into social care. Authorities suspect several individuals were involved in the shooting. Mossad linked this incident to Iranian orders, suggesting that Swedish criminal networks were recruited by Iran for violent acts in Sweden.

That same week, police thwarted two attempted attacks against the Israeli embassy. A 15-year-old boy was arrested in Tyresö while heading to the embassy with a loaded weapon and was sentenced in June. The following night, another boy of the same age was apprehended under similar circumstances.

In October, police confirmed that shots were fired at the Israeli embassy, with no arrests made thus far, and it remains unclear if Säpo is involved in the investigation. Additionally, explosions occurred near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen, leading to the arrest of three Swedish citizens aged 15 to 20, suspected of involvement.