In the wake of the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has strongly condemned what he described as a rising tide of “toxic antisemitic incitement,” which he claims is fueling violence against Israelis and Jews globally.
Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem on Thursday, Saar linked the shooting— which claimed the lives of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim outside a Jewish museum in Washington— to a hostile global atmosphere that he attributes to anti-Israel rhetoric, particularly from Europe.
“There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder,” Saar said. “This incitement is not only coming from extremists but also from leaders and officials of many countries and organizations, especially in Europe.”
While Saar stopped short of naming specific individuals or nations, his remarks follow a surge of criticism from several of Israel’s Western allies over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Countries including France, Britain, and Canada have publicly warned of potential consequences for what they perceive as disproportionate Israeli military actions in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Tensions have escalated dramatically since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages.
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In response, Israel launched a full-scale air and ground offensive in Gaza that has, according to Palestinian health officials, resulted in over 53,000 deaths. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has since deteriorated rapidly, with an 11-week blockade of aid prompting warnings from international organizations of a looming famine.
The shooting in Washington occurred against this backdrop of intensifying global outrage. U.S. authorities confirmed that a suspect who reportedly shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during the attack is now in custody.
The assault has been condemned by a broad spectrum of world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and various European heads of state.
Saar expressed frustration over what he sees as unfair and dangerous accusations against Israel, particularly claims of genocide and crimes against humanity that have been amplified by recent legal proceedings.
Last year, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take steps to prevent potential acts of genocide following a complaint filed by South Africa— a move that was met with fierce backlash in Jerusalem.
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“These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity, and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders,” Saar said, referring to the Washington shooting. “The global atmosphere has grown increasingly hostile since October 7, and the tragic consequences are now unfolding before our eyes.”
As diplomatic tensions mount and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, Israel’s leadership appears increasingly concerned that international rhetoric is not only undermining its global standing but also putting its citizens and diplomats at direct risk.
With global protests continuing and divisions between allies widening, the deadly attack in Washington may mark a dangerous new chapter in the already volatile Israel-Gaza conflict— one that is now reverberating far beyond the region.
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