MAIN PAGE  WORLD    africa    americas    asianow    europe    middle east  U.S.  LOCAL  POLITICS  WEATHER  BUSINESS  SPORTS  TECHNOLOGY  NATURE  ENTERTAINMENT  BOOKS  TRAVEL  FOOD  HEALTH  STYLE  IN-DEPTH  custom news  Headline News brief  daily almanac  CNN networks  CNN programs  on-air transcripts  news quiz   CNN WEB SITES:  TIME INC. SITES: Go To ... Time.com People Money Fortune EW  MORE SERVICES:  video on demand  video archive  audio on demand  news email services  free email accounts  desktop headlines  pointcast  DISCUSSION:  message boards  chat  feedback  SITE GUIDES:  help  contents  search  FASTER ACCESS:  europe  japan  WEB SERVICES: Keyword Title Author		Netanyahu: Israeli guards acted in self-defense against Kurds INTERACTIVE: Protests around the world: See the scenes from Tuesday RELATED VIDEO CNN's Peter Humi reports on the protests in France Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Richard Blystone reports on Tuesday's violent protests across Europe Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Margaret Lowrie interviews Ocalan supporters in London Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Nic Robertson reports from London on the Kurdish demonstrations across Europe on Tuesday Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K  ALSO: Father proud of Kurdish girl who torched self in protest Kurdish protests prompt U.S. global travel warning Turks jubilant over Ocalan's capture Chronology of the Ocalan affair Profile: Ocalan inspires loyalty, hate

February 17, 1999
Web posted at: 4:10 p.m. EST (2110 GMT)

In this story: Israel, Kenya close their embassies Kurds leave U.N. building in Geneva Status of other Kurdish protests RELATED STORIES, SITES

BERLIN (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israeli guards acted in self-defense when dozens of Kurds tried to storm Israel's consulate in Berlin, resulting in the shooting deaths of three Kurdish protesters.

The first demonstrator was killed when he tried to wrest a weapon from an Israeli guard, Netanyahu said. He did not specify that the other two were killed by Israeli fire.

Netanyahu said the guards fired their weapons when dozens of protesters stormed the consulate with hammers and clubs, taking one woman hostage. German authorities later negotiated her release.

"Our people have standing orders to prevent, with force if necessary -- including by opening fire -- any attempt to take hostages and to defend themselves," Netanyahu told a news conference in Jerusalem.

The demonstrators had gathered outside the Israeli consulate because they believed Israeli security forces may have been involved in Monday's capture of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan. The Israeli government has vehemently denied any involvement in Ocalan's capture.

"We are sorry when lives are lost but we are committed to protecting Israeli citizens wherever they may be and Israeli facilities anywhere in the world," Netanyahu said.

Israel, Kenya close their embassies

Berlin police spokesman Norbert Gunkel told CNN that 17 people were injured in the clash. He said he did not know if all the injured were Kurds. Witnesses said an 11-year-old boy was among those hurt.

Demonstrations began Tuesday across Europe following Ocalan's arrest in Kenya. The Kurdish activist was later delivered to Turkey for trial on capital charges of terrorism.

Guards outside the Israeli consulate in Berlin, where three Kurdish protesters were shot to death

Ocalan heads the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a 15-year war for autonomy from Turkey.

Following Wednesday's shootings, Israel announced that it was closing all of its diplomatic missions in Europe for the remainder of the day. Kenya also had ordered its embassies closed.

Kurds leave U.N. building in Geneva

As a result of the violence, U.S. officials cautioned its citizens traveling abroad that the protests could target American interests. The violent European protests had diminished somewhat Wednesday, but fresh demonstrations continued to break out sporadically.

In Geneva, Kurdish protesters who stormed the U.N. refugee agency's world headquarters left the building after about three hours. Up to 20 people forced their way into the building housing the United Nations' High Commissioner for Refugees while dozens more chanted pro-Ocalan slogans outside.

UNHCR spokesman Chris Janowski told CNN that minor damage had been done by the protesters, and most of the 400-person staff had been evacuated as a precaution.

Also in Geneva, protesters who had occupied the U.N.'s main building peacefully left it Wednesday afternoon.

Status of other Kurdish protests on Wednesday