Two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot dead until Wednesday outside a Jewish museum in Washington by an armed man who shouted “free Palestine.” The authorities said, with the leaders of us and Israelis who express commotion and outrage for the murders.
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, quickly condemned the attack, saying: “These horrible DC murders, obviously based on anti -Semitism, must end, now!”
“Hate and radicalism do not take place in the United States,” he added on social networks.
The shots exploded on the sidewalk outside the Jewish Capital Museum in the center of Washington, since the place celebrated a social event for young professionals and diplomatic personnel.
The victims were a young couple who planned to marry, said the Israeli ambassador.
A video clip that circulated on social networks showed a bearded young man with a jacket and a white shirt shouting “free and free Palestine” while the police carried him.
Police confirmed that the alleged shooter entered the museum after the shooting and had been arrested.
“We believe that the shooting was committed by a single suspect that is now in custody,” said Washington police chief Pamela Smith, to journalists.
“Before the shooting, it was observed that the suspect walked from one place to another outside the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a gun and opened fire.
“After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was arrested for the security of the event.”
She said the handcuffed suspect identified where she had ruled out the weapon and sang “free and free Palestine.” Police identified him as Elias Rodríguez, 30, from Chicago.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered improved security measures in Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide after the incident.
“I have instructed to improve security arrangements in Israeli missions worldwide and increase protection for state representatives,” he said.
“We are witnessing the terrible price of anti -Semitism and wild incitement against the state of Israel.”
“I am devastated by the scenes in Washington,” said Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a statement.
“This is a despicable act of hate, of anti -Semitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy.
“The United States and Israel will join in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hatred will not break us.”
‘Indescribable Violence’ act ‘
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, said: “Darmlar to diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line.
“Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives, in all parts of the world.”
The objective event seemed to be a reception organized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for young Jewish professionals and the Diplomatic Community of Washington.
The night was “dedicated to promoting unity and celebrating the Jewish heritage”, with an invitation to the event that said that the location would be shared when registered. “
“The American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we organize an event in the Jewish Capital Museum in Washington, DC tonight,” said AJC CEO, Ted Deutch, in a statement.
“We are devastated that there has been an indescribable act of violence outside the place … Our attention and our hearts are only with those that were harmed and their families.”
The museum is located in the Washington center, near the United States Capitol and only 1.6 kilometers from the White House.
Police chief Smith said the officers responded to multiple calls from a shooting near the museum around 9 pmdel Wednesday night (Thursday 6 am).
The first to answer found an unconscious man and woman and not breathing. Despite the efforts to save lives, both were declared dead.
Commitment
The Israeli ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter told journalists that the young employees were a couple “about to commit.”
“The young man bought a ring this week with the intention of proposing his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,” Leiter said.
He added that he spoke with Trump on the phone, with the president ensuring that the United States “will do everything he can do to fight and put an end to anti -Semitism.”
“We will join together and firm together, and we will face this moral depravation without fear and determination,” said Leiter.
Emergency vehicles remained in the morning scene after the police recorded the area.
“We will join as a community in the next few days and weeks to send the clear message that we will not tolerate anti -Semitism,” said the mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, to journalists.
“The horrible incident will scare many people in our city and in our country. I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate.”
