Israel’s Foreign Ministry and Ambassador to Serbia Avivit Bar-Ilan have condemned a suspected terrorist attack near the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade, calling for a thorough investigation to establish who was behind the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Israeli officials said they were shocked by the incident and confirmed that the attack had been thwarted by the rapid response of Serbian security forces. No embassy staff members were injured, and the diplomatic mission was closed at the time of the late-night incident.
“We confirm reports of an attempted terrorist attack near the Embassy of Israel in Belgrade. The attacker was neutralized by local police. No embassy personnel were injured, and the mission itself was closed at the time of the incident. The competent authorities are currently investigating the event,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on X.
Bar-Ilan said the embassy was deeply disturbed by the events outside its premises, stressing that the incident should not be treated as an isolated case.
“We condemn this terrorist attack. This is a threat to all of us, as well as a direct threat to peace and security. This is the second time in the past two years that a terrorist attack has occurred against the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade,” the ambassador said.
She called for a comprehensive investigation to determine who was behind the attack and to bring those responsible to justice.
Bar-Ilan confirmed that she had spoken with Serbia’s outgoing Interior Minister, Ivica Dačić, who assured her that the case would be investigated in detail.
The ambassador also expressed gratitude to members of Serbia’s Gendarmerie, particularly the officer who was wounded while responding to the attack.
“We express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the members of the Serbian Gendarmerie, especially the officer whose courageous actions and decisive response prevented an even greater loss of life and more serious consequences,” Bar-Ilan said.
She wished the injured officer a full recovery and expressed appreciation to him and his family for his actions. She also confirmed that all members of the diplomatic mission were safe.
Attacker killed, security alert raised
According to Serbian media reports, the incident occurred shortly after midnight, when an 18-year-old identified as Dario Nikolić, from Bela Reka near Šabac, allegedly approached a member of the Gendarmerie guarding the embassy while carrying two knives and shouting “Allahu Akbar.”
The officer reportedly used his service weapon in self-defense, killing the attacker at the scene. The officer was also injured during the incident.
Serbia subsequently declared the highest, red-level terrorist threat alert, while police and prosecutors continued investigating the attacker’s motives, contacts and possible connections.
The incident has renewed concerns over the security of diplomatic missions in Belgrade and prompted calls from Israeli officials for the authorities to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
