France has condemned the killing of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington as an “abhorrent act of anti-Semitic barbarity”, after a gunman opened fire outside a Jewish museum late Wednesday shouting “Free Palestine”. French political leaders also expressed solidarity with the victims and their families while warning against rising anti-Semitism.
French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot posted a message of support on social media in English, saying his “thoughts go to their loved ones, their colleagues, and the state of Israel”.
Gérard Larcher, president of the French Senate, said the attack revealed “the results of radicalisation through hate propaganda”. In an interview with FranceInter on Thursday, he described the killings as “two odious anti-Semitic crimes”.
While Larcher criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza, he said that was no justification for violence against Jewish people. He called for vigilance in the face of rising anti-Semitic attacks.
Meanwhile the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions in France (Crif) expressed “solidarity” with the families of the victims, denouncing what it called the “instrumentalisation” of the situation in Gaza.
“Let’s not be fooled: targeting a Jewish museum and killing two people while shouting ‘Free Palestine’ is not a response to the situation in Gaza but the global extension of the antisemitic attacks of 7 October,” the Crif said in a statement.
Targeted attack
The victims – a man and woman – were shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, close to the US Capitol and just over 1.5 kilometres from the White House.
Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said the couple had been planning to get engaged.
Police said the shooter, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, approached a group of four people on the pavement and opened fire. He then entered the museum, where he was detained by event security.
The suspect had no previous contact with police.
The shooting happened as the museum was hosting a reception for young Jewish professionals and members of the diplomatic community.
The event was organised by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Its CEO, Ted Deutch, said the evening had been “dedicated to fostering unity and celebrating Jewish heritage”.
“We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue,” Deutch said. “Our attention and our hearts are solely with those who were harmed and their families.”
A video posted online showed a bearded man in a white shirt shouting “free, free Palestine” as he was led away by police.
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'Despicable act of hatred'
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said he was “devastated" by the scenes in Washington. He called the attack “a despicable act of hatred".
He added: “America and Israel will stand united in defence of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.” he said.
Netanyahu said security would be tightened at Israeli embassies around the world.
US President Donald Trump quickly condemned the attack, saying: "These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!"
"Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA," he added on social media.
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, said "harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line".
"Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives, everywhere in the world."
Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter said Trump had called him personally, assuring that the US would “do everything it can possibly do to fight and end anti-Semitism”.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser also addressed the incident. “We’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send the clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism,” she said.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X: “We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.”
(with newswires)
