 "EAM S Jaishankar -File Photo/AP")
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday condemned the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, DC, after they were shot dead outside a Jewish museum.
“Condemn in the strongest term the killing of Israeli diplomats in Washington DC. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and colleagues. The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he said on X.
A gunman opened fire outside the Capital Jewish Museum in the centre of Washington late on Wednesday, killing two people who were coming out of the venue after attending an event for young professionals and diplomatic staff.
The attack has drawn condemnation from across the world, with Israeli leaders blaming ‘incitement’ by European countries. Many other nations have condemned the killing of the diplomats as “anti-Semitic”.
Hours after the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday ordered enhanced security measures at Israeli diplomatic missions across the world. France followed suit and ordered better surveillance at Jewish-linked sites in the country.
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View AllA video clip circulating on social media showed a young bearded man in a jacket and white shirt shouting “free, free Palestine” as he was led away by police.
The victims killed in the attack were a young couple who planned to get married, according to the Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter.
“The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple,” he said.
Police confirmed the suspected shooter walked into the museum after the shooting and had been detained.
“We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect who is now in custody,” Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters.