Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday described the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington DC as "wild incitement" against his country.
"We are witnessing the terrible price of anti-Semitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel. The blood libels against the Jewish state are rising in blood – and they must be fought to the bitter end. My heart breaks for the families of the beloved young man and woman, who were brutally murdered by a despicable anti-Semitic terrorist," Netanyahu posted on X.
The Israeli premier further stated he was briefed by Israel's ambassador to the United States about the "shocking anti-Semitic murder" of the two embassy employees. He added that he also spoke with US attorney general Pam Bondi, who gave him all the details known so far about the identity of the suspect.
"I thanked her (Bondi) and (US) President Trump for their clear stance against anti-Semitism — a moral, courageous, and necessary stance. I have instructed security officials to strengthen protection arrangements for Israeli missions around the world, and to raise the level of security for all state envoys. We will defeat hatred – and we will not let terrorism defeat life," Netanyahu wrote.
The shooting
Gunfire broke out late Wednesday outside Washington's Capital Jewish Museum, as the venue held a social event for young professionals and diplomatic staff.
Authorities have identified the shooting suspect as 33-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, Illinois.
A video clip circulating on social media showed a young bearded man, possibly Rodriguez, in a jacket and white shirt shouting "free, free Palestine" as he was led away by police.
The victims were a young couple who planned to get married, according to the Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter.
"We are witnessing the terrible price of anti-Semitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel. The blood libels against the Jewish state are rising in blood – and they must be fought to the bitter end. My heart breaks for the families of the beloved young man and woman, who were brutally murdered by a despicable anti-Semitic terrorist," Netanyahu posted on X.
The Israeli premier further stated he was briefed by Israel's ambassador to the United States about the "shocking anti-Semitic murder" of the two embassy employees. He added that he also spoke with US attorney general Pam Bondi, who gave him all the details known so far about the identity of the suspect.
"I thanked her (Bondi) and (US) President Trump for their clear stance against anti-Semitism — a moral, courageous, and necessary stance. I have instructed security officials to strengthen protection arrangements for Israeli missions around the world, and to raise the level of security for all state envoys. We will defeat hatred – and we will not let terrorism defeat life," Netanyahu wrote.
The shooting
Gunfire broke out late Wednesday outside Washington's Capital Jewish Museum, as the venue held a social event for young professionals and diplomatic staff.
Authorities have identified the shooting suspect as 33-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, Illinois.
A video clip circulating on social media showed a young bearded man, possibly Rodriguez, in a jacket and white shirt shouting "free, free Palestine" as he was led away by police.
The victims were a young couple who planned to get married, according to the Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter.
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