Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of fueling antisemitism after the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. Netanyahu stated that their criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza contributed to a climate of hate, culminating in the tragic attack .
The Attack: A Targeted Act of Antisemitism
On May 21, 2025, Elias Rodriguez, 31, from Chicago, opened fire outside the Capital Jewish Museum, killing Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both Israeli embassy employees. Rodriguez allegedly shouted “Free, free Palestine!” during his arrest, and a manifesto expressing antisemitic views was found among his belongings . Israeli officials have labeled the incident an act of antisemitic terrorism .
International Reactions
In response to the shooting, Netanyahu ordered heightened security at Israeli embassies worldwide. U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it “obviously motivated by antisemitism” . Meanwhile, Macron and Starmer condemned the violence and reaffirmed their commitment to combating antisemitism.
Investigations and Ongoing Developments
The FBI is investigating the incident as a hate crime and possible act of terrorism. Authorities are examining a manifesto linked to Rodriguez and his potential affiliations with extremist groups . The investigation continues as officials seek to understand the full scope of the attack.
