The shooting that killed two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington was a direct result of "toxic antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world" since Hamas' attack on Israel in October, 2023, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Thursday (May 22).

At a press conference in Jerusalem hours after the attack, Saar said incitement was also carried by leaders and officials "of many countries, of international organisations, especially from Europe."

He said Israeli diplomatic missions around the world have witnessed "an unprecedented wave of terror attacks and attempts" against them.

Israeli embassies lowered their flags at half mast in memory of those killed, including the foreign ministry building in Jerusalem.

The two Israeli embassy staffers, a young couple about to be engaged, were killed by a lone gunman in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday (May 21) night, and a suspect who chanted pro-Palestine slogans is in custody, officials said.

The Israeli foreign ministry named the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim and said they were both locally employed staff.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Killing of embassy staffers in US is result of antisemitic incitement, says Israeli FM

VIDEO SHOWS: ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SAAR SPEAKING AT PRESS CONFERENCE

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SHOWS: JERUSALEM (MAY 22, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SAAR WALKING TO PODIUM

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SAAR SAYING:

"Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, two young representatives of the State of Israel were murdered a few hours ago in a horrific terrorist attack in Washington. My condolences go to their families and to the staff of the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C."

3. JOURNALISTS

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SAAR SAYING:

"I have been worried for the past few months that something like this would happen. And it did. And the list of fallen foreign service members has grown (longer) today."

5. CAMERA

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SAAR SAYING:

"This is the direct result of toxic antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world that has been going on since the October 7th massacre. Recently, we have witnessed an unprecedented wave of terror attacks and attempts against Israeli missions around the world, with an emphasis on Europe."

7. MEDIA

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SAAR SAYING:

"There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder. This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries, of international organisations, especially from Europe. The words are the modern blood libels. These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders."

9. PRESS CONFERENCE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER GIDEON SAAR SAYING:

"This is what happens when leaders in the world surrender to the Palestinian terrorist propaganda and serve it. Those statements and attacks blame Israel instead of Hamas. Hamas started a war on October 7th, and it's solely responsible for the war's continuation and is solely responsible for the suffering of Israelis and Palestinians alike. I say today to these leaders and officials - stop your incitement against Israel, stop your false accusations, strengthen Israel in its historic battle against the axis of evil in the Middle East."

11. CAMERAS

12. SAAR LEAVING

13. VARIOUS OF ISRAELI FLAGS AT HALF MAST AT FOREIGN MINISTRY