Mark Carney ‘Devastated And Appalled’ By Killing Of 2 Israeli Embassy Staff In Washington

Prime Minister Mark Carney said he is “devastated and appalled” by the killing of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington on Wednesday.

The two staff members were leaving an event at a Jewish museum when they were shot and killed. Police said the suspect yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after his arrest.

The two people killed — identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American — were a young couple about to be engaged, according to Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S.

They were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when the suspect, who had been seen pacing outside the museum, approached a group of four people and opened fire, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told a news conference.

In a post on social media, Carney said this was a targeted attack against the Jewish community and he condemns it “in the strongest terms.”

“My prayers are with Yaron and Sarah, their grieving loved ones, and the entire Jewish community,” he said.

In her own social media post, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said antisemitism and the “violence and fear it brings are beyond deplorable and must stop.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Thursday he was shocked by the attack.

“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel,” he said in a media statement.

Israel’s Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed said his heart and prayers are with his colleagues “at this very sad time.”

In a social media post, he said antisemitism must be fought “head on. By everyone. At all times. Everywhere.”

In response to the shooting, York Regional Police north of Toronto said that in response to the shooting, they’ll be increasing their presence around synagogues and other places of worship, as well as at schools and community centres.

“There is no immediate threat to our region and these patrols are in place to support all members of our community,” police said.

Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman said on social media the killings were “a horrible attack of hatred and antisemitism.”

“I, together with all of my Embassy of Canada colleagues, offer our deep and sincere condolences to the family and friends of the victims. Canada condemns antisemitism in all its forms.”