Egypt protester plants national flag on Israeli embassy

CAIRO – An Egyptian protester Sunday climbed to Israel’s embassy in a Cairo highrise, took down its flag and replaced it with an Egyptian one as more than 1,000 people protested over the border deaths of their policemen.

The red, white and black Egyptian flag fluttered from the embassy as demonstrators cheered and chanted “Long live Egypt!” and lit fireworks in the night sky.

Others called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador as drivers along an adjacent bridge made victory signs and honked.

It was the second night of protests after five Egyptian policemen were killed on Thursday as Israeli troops pursued attackers on the border who killed eight people in the Negev desert.

Military police in riot gear stood guard outside the embassy but did not try to disperse the protesters. Witnesses said the man who took down the flag climbed from balcony to balcony to reach the roof and managed to escape when he climbed down.