 "‘Direct line to incitement’: Israel blames Europe for antisemitic climate after Washington shooting")
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar attributed the killing of two staff members at the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, to what he described as an environment of “antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement.”
Specifically accusing unnamed European officials at a news conference in Jerusalem on Thursday, CNN quoted him as saying, “There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder. This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organisations, especially from Europe.”
Sa’ar further expressed concern about security threats facing Israeli missions abroad and Jewish communities in European countries.
“What is (lacking) I feel is the connection between the atmosphere created – the specific words – and this kind of wave of antisemitism we are facing,” he added.
Israel has recently come under intense criticism from European countries as it escalates its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian organisations warn that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid has pushed the Palestinian enclave to the edge of famine.
While Sa’ar did not mention any specific countries or officials, he asserted that a broader climate of hostility toward Israel contributed to the shooting of embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim outside a Jewish museum in Washington on Wednesday.
Sa’ar refrained from naming any specific leaders or officials. However, his comments followed increasingly harsh criticism from Israel’s Western allies, including France and Britain, which, along with Canada, issued warnings this week about potential “concrete action” against Israel over its military operations in Gaza..
US officials said a suspect who chanted pro-Palestinian slogans was in custody. President Donald Trump and a wide range of European and other foreign leaders condemned the attack.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSa’ar said that the “global atmosphere” against Israel has deteriorated significantly since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and the capture of 251 hostages taken into Gaza.
Since then, Israel’s air and ground campaign has led to the deaths of over 53,000 Palestinians and devastated the densely populated region, sparking widespread protests worldwide, from US university campuses to the streets of European cities.
Last year, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take measures to prevent alleged acts of genocide in Gaza, following a case filed by South Africa that sparked intense outrage in Israel.
“These libels about genocide, crimes against humanity and murdering babies pave the way exactly for such murders,” Reuters quoted Saar as saying.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
