World leaders have issued words of condemnation in reaction to the fatal shooting of two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington.
The two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington – a young couple on the verge of becoming engaged – were shot and killed on Wednesday evening while leaving an event at a Jewish Museum.
Authorities say the suspect yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested over the deaths of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim.
In a social media post on Thursday, May 22, 2025, US President Donald Trump stated, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on anti-Semitism, must end, NOW!” He added, “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said that he was “shocked” by the “horrific, anti-Semitic” shooting. “We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said that “anti-Semitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears.”
“My thoughts are with their colleagues, family and loved ones, and as always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.”
Keir Starmer
Starmer’s Spokesperson disclosed that the government has offered its full support to the Israeli embassy in London.
Also, French President, Emmanuel Macron said that he has reached out to his Israeli counterpart in the wake of the killings.
German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, in a post on X, that he was “shocked” by the news.
“Our thoughts are with their families. At this stage we must assume an anti-Semitic motive. I condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms.”
Friedrich Merz
Latest Act In Growing Wave of Antisemitism
The attack was seen by officials in Israel and the US as the latest act in a growing wave of antisemitism as Israel ramps up its offensive in the Gaza Strip, and as food security experts have warned that Gaza risks falling into famine unless Israel’s blockade ends.
The violence occurred after the American Jewish Committee’s annual Young Diplomats reception at the museum.
Ted Deutch, the American Jewish Committee’s Chief Executive, said in a statement, “This is a shocking act of violence and our community is holding each other tighter tonight.”
“At this painful moment, we mourn with the victims’ families, loved ones, and all of Israel. May their memories be for a blessing.”
Ted Deutch
Yoni Kalin and Katie Kalisher were inside the museum when they heard gunshots and a man came inside looking distressed, they said.
Kalin said that people came to his aid and brought him water, thinking he needed help, without realizing he was the suspect.
When police arrived, he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeatedly yelled, “Free Palestine,” Kalin said.
“This event was about humanitarian aid. How can we actually help both the people in Gaza and the people in Israel? How can we bring together Muslims and Jews and Christians to work together to actually help innocent people? And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood.”
Yoni Kalin
Last week, the Capital Jewish Museum was one of the local non-profits in Washington awarded funding from a $500,000 grant program to increase its security.
The museum’s leaders were concerned because it is a Jewish organization and has a new LGBTQ+ exhibit, according to NBC4 Washington.
Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz told the TV station, “We recognize that there are threats associated with this as well.” He added, “And again, we want to ensure that our space is as welcoming and secure for everybody who comes here while we are exploring these stories.”
READ ALSO: Cedi Gains Not Enough for Recovery – IERPP Boss Warns Against Overreliance on Global Trends
