 The scene where two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot dead in Washington DC on May 22, 2025. (Photo: Reuters/Jonathan Ernst) |
According to a court document, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez told police at the scene, “I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza”.
Rodriguez was also charged with murdering a foreign official and committing antisemitic violence.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for the perpetrator to be brought to justice.
Miguel Ángel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, also voiced his strong condemnation.
In a post on X, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called the shooting a “heinous act”.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau told French police to step up surveillance at sites linked to the Jewish community, saying security measures must be “visible and dissuasive”.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the shooting was an act of terror and violence and underlined the need to end antisemitism.
Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, posted on X that there is no place in societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning strongly condemned all acts that endanger diplomats, and called for a thorough investigation to prevent similar future incidents.
