An Israeli minister has accused Keir Starmer of “emboldening the forces of terror” following the murder of two Israeli embassy workers. Israel’s diaspora minister Amichai Chikli accused the French, Canadian and UK leaders of failing to “draw moral red lines” in a post on X, which he linked to an increase of hatred.
Chikli wrote: “We must also hold to account the irresponsible leaders in the West who give backing to this hatred – whether through appeasement, double standards, or silence. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have all, in different ways, emboldened the forces of terror through their failure to draw moral red lines.”
Chikli added: “This cowardice has a price – and that price is paid in Jewish blood. We will continue to fight antisemitism everywhere – with clarity, courage, and zero tolerance.”
Starmer has publicly condemned the attack and said antisemitism is an “evil we must stamp out wherever it appears”.
The suspect reportedly shouted “free Palestine” as he was arrested following the murders of two victims, who have been named as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.
They were shot dead as they were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum organised by the American Jewish Commitee, at around 9.05pm local time (2.05am UK time). They were due to be engaged, according to Israel’s ambassador to the US.
Sir Keir Starmer wrote on X following the attack: “I thoroughly condemn the antisemitic attack outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC. Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears.”
He added: “My thoughts are with their colleagues, family and loved ones, and, as always, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.”
This week, leaders of France, the UK and Canada have called out Israel’s “egregious” military operations in Gaza, threatening “concrete action”.
Majed Abu Ramadan, the Palestinian health minister, said 29 children and elderly people had died from starvation-related deaths in Gaza in recent days and that many thousands more were at risk after an 11-week aid blockade into Gaza.
Benjamin Netanyahu lifted the blockade this week but the UN and other charities say the relief isn’t getting to Palestinians, who are at risk of starvation, and is only a “drop in the ocean”.
