Asger Risom
Israel’s prime minister accuses Western leaders of empowering extremism with threats of sanctions.
A fatal shooting outside Washington’s Jewish Museum this week has escalated tensions between Israel and its Western allies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted sharply to the killing of two Israeli embassy employees, claiming the attacker’s chant of “Free Palestine” was equivalent to shouting “Heil Hitler.”
In a video statement shared Thursday, Netanyahu condemned the killings and accused Europe of aiding extremism through its policies on Gaza.
For these neo-Nazis, ‘Free Palestine’ is simply the modern version of ‘Heil Hitler,’” Netanyahu said, adding that the shooter “wanted to kill Jews—nothing more.
The assailant reportedly shouted the slogan as he opened fire near the Israeli embassy. The two victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sara Milgrim, were both diplomats. According to Israeli media, they were a couple, and Lischinsky had been planning to propose next week.
Netanyahu Slams Macron, Carney, and Starmer
The attack comes days after France, Canada, and the UK threatened sanctions on Israel over its ongoing military campaign in Gaza and expressed openness to recognizing a Palestinian state.
These leaders may think they’re promoting peace. They’re not,” Netanyahu said. “They’re encouraging Hamas to fight forever.
He addressed the leaders directly, stating:
When mass murderers, rapists, baby killers, and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice.
Aid Access and Civilian Casualties in Gaza
Netanyahu continued to push back against international criticism of Israel’s humanitarian blockade. While the UN and aid groups report starvation in Gaza—with at least 29 civilian deaths from hunger this week—Netanyahu denied any intent to harm civilians.
Our goal from the start has been to get food to Palestinian civilians, not terrorists,
he said, pledging that U.S. contractors would soon distribute aid directly to heads of households.
He reiterated a controversial plan to displace Gaza’s 2.1 million residents to the southern part of the strip for aid distribution—an approach humanitarian organizations strongly oppose.
‘Not Random Victims’
Netanyahu also emphasized that the embassy employees were targeted explicitly for being Jewish.
“They weren’t random victims. The terrorist who shot them did so for one reason only: he wanted to kill Jews.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks further widen the rift between Israel and some of its closest allies, amid growing global scrutiny of its military operations and treatment of Palestinian civilians.
As reported by 20 Minutos.