An Egyptian policeman opened fire on Israeli tourists in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, killing at least two Israelis and one Egyptian, according to Egypt’s Interior Ministry.
Extra News television channel, which has close ties to Egyptian security agencies, quoted an unidentified security official as saying that another person was wounded in the attack, which took place at the Pompey’s Pillar site in Alexandria.
It said the suspected assailant was detained.
Security forces quickly cordoned off the site of the attack. Graphic footage posted on social media showed two figures lying motionless on the ground of what appeared to be a tourist site. Another was seen being helped by a group of men. One woman was heard screaming for ambulance.
When I visited ancient Egyptian sites there were armed guards everywhere, which mostly appeared to be teenagers with semi-auto long guns. They were supposed to be there to keep us safe due to past massacres, but they certainly didn’t make me feel safe.
Even then there was a lot of resentment, little kids would throw rocks at our tour bus in remote parts of the country. Today, anti-western sentiment seems to have gotten worse. I think I’d avoid the entire middle east as a tourist.