Two Israeli embassy staff members shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington
Two staff members from the Israeliembassy were shot and killed near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Wednesday (local time), according to US secretary of homeland security Kristi Noem.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC,” Noem posted on X. “We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share.”
Incident based on ‘antisemitism’ says Trump
Commenting on the incident, US President Donald Trump said that it was based on “antisemitism”. “These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, now! Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!” he said in a post on Truth Social.
An Israeli embassy spokesperson was quoted as saying by CNN that the Israeli ambassador was not involved in the incident and was not present at the location when the shooting took place.
US attorney general Pam Bondi said on social media that she, along with acting US attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro, has arrived at the scene of the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
‘Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line,’ says Israeli ambassador to UN
Meanwhile, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned the incident and termed it as “crossing the red line”.
In a post on X, he said, “The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.”
He added, “Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.”
FBI director Kash Patel was also briefed on the incident. In a post on X, he said, “My team and I have been briefed on the shooting tonight in downtown DC outside the Capital Jewish Museum and near our Washington Field Office. While we’re working with MPD to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families. We will keep the public updated as we are able.”
