An Israeli Minister has accused Keir Starmer of “emboldening the forces of terror” after two Jewish staff members at his country’s embassy were shot by a pro-Palestine activist in Washington DC. The Telegraph has more.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were expected to get engaged, left a reception for diplomats near the city’s Jewish museum on Wednesday night when a stranger armed with a handgun approached them and opened fire.
The suspect, identified as 30 year-old Elias Rodriguez, entered the museum and was detained by security staff as witnesses rushed to help the victims, police said. Footage of his arrest shows him chanting “free, free Palestine” as he is taken away by an officer.
Amichai Chikli, Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister, said the world must hold to account the “irresponsible leaders in the West who give backing” to hatred against Jews and Israelis, “whether through appeasement, double standards, or silence”.
Mr Chikli said: “French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have all, in different ways, emboldened the forces of terror through their failure to draw moral red lines. This cowardice has a price – and that price is paid in Jewish blood.”
Gideon Sa’ar, Israeli Foreign Minister, also lashed out at world leaders, and said “this is what happens when world leaders surrender to the Palestinian terrorist propaganda. Stop your incitement against Israel. Stop your false accusations”.
“I was worried… that something like this would happen – and it did. This is the direct result (of) toxic antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world,” Mr Sa’ar said.
Mr Chikli and Mr Sa’ar’s comments came after a diplomatic crisis erupted this week when Canada, France and UK threatened to sanction Israel over its failure to end the war in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid in.
The UK froze trade talks with Israel and imposed sanctions on West Bank settlers this week, drawing harsh criticism from Israel.
Sir Keir has threatened Israel with “concrete actions” if it keeps restricting aid to Gaza and demanded an end to its renewed offensive.
Sir Keir has not responded to the Israeli ministers, but said this morning: “I thoroughly condemn the antisemitic attack outside the Israeli embassy in Washington DC.
“Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears.”
Worth reading in full.
The Mail has delved into the killer’s disturbing social media posts:
Social media posts which appear to have been made by him have since revealed the extent of his militant support for the besieged nation, with his post recent writings urging followers to, “escalate for Gaza, bring the war home”.
On the day of the US election, an account linked to Rodriguez re-shared a post which read: “Don’t blame me, I voted for Hamas.”
Another chilling post on X detailed a desire to attack the New York Times‘s headquarters.
“Progressive tweeps, as much as I love delving into the day’s Discourse, can we PLEASE save the idealistic and high-minded debate over the morality of sending a truck bomb into the offices of the New York Times until *AFTER* we send a truck bomb into the office,” the post read.
The X account’s profile picture features a grainy avatar wearing a medical face mask, with many progressives donning the face-coverings to make a political statement long after the Covid crisis ended.
Other concerning entries included a post which read, “De@th to Amerikkka” and sharing posts with the Israeli flag emoji followed by a pig and a knife.
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