Donald Trump has condemned the anti-Semitic execution of two Israeli embassy staff in the American capital.
Writing on his Truth Social platform the US president said: “These horrible [Washington] D.C 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!”
His statement comes after two diplomats – named by Israel‘s foreign ministry as Yaron Lisinsky and Sarah Milgrim – were apparently “executed” in a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism”.
They were killed while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington DC.
Police have named the suspect as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago.
Washington Metropolitan police chief Pamela Smith said: “We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody. Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people produced a handgun and opened fire, striking both of our decedents.
“After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum and was detained by event security. Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offence.
“The suspect chanted ‘free, free Palestine’ while in custody. The suspect has been tentatively identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois.”
The shooting happened at 21:05 local time on Wednesday close to government buildings in the heart of America’s capital city.
Danny Danon, Israel‘s ambassador to the United Nations, said the incident was a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism”.
He added: “Harming diplomats and 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.”
Detectives are yet to establish a potential motive for the shooting but are working on the assumption the victims were targeted because of their faith.
A spokesman for the Israeli embassy confirmed that two staff members, who have not been named, were shot “at close range” while attending an event at the museum, adding: “We have full faith in law enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel‘s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States.”
Witnesses said the crazed gunman shouted “Free Palestine” after he shot and killed the two Israeli diplomats outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
The suspect was seen pacing back and forth before opening fire on a group standing outside the building.
Unconfirmed reports suggest he then went back inside in an apparent state of shock before asking someone to call police and then confessed. He is currently being held in custody.
In a post on X, formely Twitter, Israel‘s embassy in the US said the couple were “our friends and colleagues” and in “the prime of their lives”, adding: “The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder.
“No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”
The shocking incident comes amid rising incidents of anti-Semitism and after Britain suspended talks on a trade deal with Israel in response to the country’s military escalation in Gaza which has been described as “morally unjustifiable”.
Israel has faced a chorus of criticism over its refusal to allow supplies of food, fuel and medicine into the enclave.
On Monday former England football captain Gary Lineker, 64, was forced to quit the BBC, after apologising for sharing a social media post about Zionism which featured a picture of a rat, historically used as an anti-Semitic insult. Lineker had been due to cover the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the broadcaster but left after the incident was condemned internationally.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.