US politicians and Jewish-American organizations condemned the shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington on Wednesday night.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, stating that "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA."
"Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!" he added.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee referred to the incident as a "horrific act of terror."
Horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning. AG Pam Bondi called to let me know and was at the scene. 2 dead in shooting targeting Israeli embassy staffers outside Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. https://t.co/4sdFcgJ4T1
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) May 22, 2025
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated, "This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism, which as we know is all too rampant in our society."
AJC CEO Ted Deutch released the following statement this evening: American Jewish Committee (AJC) can confirm that we hosted an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. this evening. We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the…
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) May 22, 2025
Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms," calling it "a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence," adding "Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice."
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, DC. Our prayers are with their loved ones.This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and…
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) May 22, 2025
In a statement released on X, Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said, "We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. At this moment, as we await more information from the police about exactly what transpired, our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families."
"The shooting attack that took place outside the Jewish Museum in Washington is a vile act of antisemitic terror, part of the assault on the entire Jewish world that began on October 7. This is the eighth front. Now is the time for all of us to unite, to cry out with a clear voice, and to fight by all means in order to win this long campaign," World Zionist Organization chairman Yaakov Hagoel stated.
"Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) are horrified at the reported murder of two people outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. Our hearts go out to the victims and to our colleagues at AJC, whose event was being held at the museum," a JFNA statement read.
We are working closely with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and our security partners to monitor the situation, gain a fuller picture of what transpired, and keep our communities informed. The safety and security of the community is our top priority, and we will not rest until that safety is fully restored," JFNA added.
'Murder didn't happen in a vacuum, direct result of call to globalize the intifada'
The Combat Antisemitism Movement condemned the shooting, with CEO Sacha Roytman Dratwa commenting that "This murder didn’t happen in a vacuum, but is the direct result of the incessant hatred by those who call to 'Globalize the Intifada.'
"For those who wondered about the context of whether a particular chant was hate speech or antisemitic, this is what it looks like when physically manifested. We have warned about the growing violence of the far Left, and now it seems that our deepest fears have come true." Roytman Dratwa added.
"The murderer did not know his victims were Israeli; he just knew they attended a Jewish event. When we say that the anti-Semites don’t hate Jews because of Israel, but rather, they hate Israel because it is the Jewish homeland, this is what we mean," he continued.
Chairman of right-wing Zionist group Betar US, Ronn Torossian, stated that Betar has "long warned that Washington DC was a pro-Hamas ticking time bomb."
"We are the most active Zionist group in the area and threatened on a regular basis," he claimed, adding that "We call upon the Trump Administration to expedite the deportation of illegal pro-Hamas agitators nationwide and prevent the next terror attack against our people."
There are many who will celebrate this attack on campuses nationwide. At Betar US we will redouble our efforts to stand against hate. Sadly as we mourn this loss we remind Jews Aliyah is the best solution. If staying in diaspora fight back. There’s no one coming to save the Jews,” Torossion added.
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, said that "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims.
"We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice."
Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and Interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting took place.
I am on the scene of the horrible shooting outside the Washington, DC Capital Jewish Museum with @USAttyPirro. Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) May 22, 2025
"Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more," Bondi shared on X/Twitter.
