FM Sa’ar: “Following the murder of our personnel, we will lower the flag to half-mast today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Israeli missions around the world.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar today (Thursday, 22 May 2025) made the following statement to the media following the murderous terror attack in Washington D.C:
“Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim – two young people, representatives of the State of Israel, were murdered a few hours ago in a heinous terror attack in Washington D.C.
Yaron and Sarah were murdered at an American Jewish Committee event at the Capital Jewish Museum.
I spoke this morning with Daniel, Yaron’s father, and told him that his son was a warrior on the diplomatic front and fell as a soldier falls on the battlefield.
I extend my condolences to their families, as well as to the employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington.
The attack is the direct consequence of the virulent and toxic antisemitic rhetoric against Israel and Jewish communities around the world that has been going on since October 7.
Recently, we have witnessed an unprecedented wave of terrorist attacks and attempted terrorist attacks against Israeli missions around the world, with an emphasis on our missions in Europe.
Israeli missions and representatives around the world are targets of antisemitic terrorism that crosses all red lines.
I spoke of this recently on Memorial Day at the ceremony for fallen MFA personnel.
I have been concerned for the past few months that something like this would happen. Unfortunately, my concern was justified – the list of the fallen has been extended today.
Following the murder of our personnel, we will lower the flag to half-mast today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Israeli missions around the world.
My heart goes out today to all MFA personnel, to our diplomats who struggle under difficult conditions on the diplomatic front. I am honored to head this organization. They serve the country, are identified with the country, they symbolize the country. They attract confrontations and harsh, venomous declarations.
And today, two of them attracted the terrorist’s bullet. A direct line connects antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder.
This incitement also includes official representatives of many countries and international organizations, particularly in Europe.
The accusations of so-called genocide, crimes against humanity, and infanticide, which are the modern equivalent of blood libel, pave the way for these acts of murder.
This is the environment that has created the situation where Jewish and Israeli lives are at risk.
This is what happens when world leaders surrender to Palestinian propaganda of terror and lies. Statements and criticisms directed at Israel instead of at Hamas, which instigated the war on October 7, and is solely accountable for its continuation and for the resulting suffering experienced by both Israelis and Palestinians.
I say today to world leaders who have been swept into these realms:
Stop the incitement against Israel.
Stop the false accusations. Support Israel in the historic campaign that has been forced upon it against the axis of evil in the Middle East.
I spoke several times this morning with our ambassador to the United States, Dr. Yechiel Leiter. I thank him the way he is representing us in the US and, at this time, also for his support of the embassy staff.
I spoke as well with our dear friend, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who updated me on the intensive investigation being conducted by multiple government agencies into this crime. The most senior officials of American law enforcement system are closely monitoring the investigation, and we appreciate it.
Terrorism haunts us everywhere, but we will not surrender to it. Since October 7, Israel has been engaged in a multi-front war against those who seek destroy it, whose goal is the destruction of the only Jewish state.
We, who have taken the oath ‘Never again,’ will not allow this to happen.
This is an appropriate opportunity to announce the conference against antisemitism that we will hold here in Jerusalem in the middle of next week, within the framework of the Israeli presidency of IHRA. The conference will be attended by foreign ministers and other ministers of IHRA member states, envoys to combat antisemitism, and representatives of Jewish communities from these countries.
The new antisemitism is flourishing today on academic campuses, in the media, and on social networks. We are committed to fighting this phenomenon with all our might and are grateful to our partners around the world who are with us in this fight.
To the entire Israeli people, I say this morning: “Hold your heads high.”
There is no nation on earth that would have endured with such fortitude, dedication, and strength what we have faced and continue to face.
Let us work together to reinforce our unity so we can continue to effectively address the significant challenges that have been forced upon us.
The Glory of Israel does not lie (1 Samuel 15: 29)!”
