Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar blamed an atmosphere of “antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement” for the killings of two staffers of Israel’s embassy in Washington, DC.
“There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder,” Sa’ar said at a news conference on Thursday in Jerusalem. “This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe.”
Sa’ar went on to say that there is a concern in European countries for security threats against Israeli missions abroad and the Jewish community. “What is (lacking) I feel is the connection between the atmosphere created – the specific words – and this kind of wave of antisemitism we are facing,” he said.
His comments come amid a tense week in the country’s diplomatic relations, as both the European Union and the United Kingdom announced measures distancing themselves from Israel.
The UK paused trade negotiations and sanctioned West Bank settlers, as Britain’s foreign minister slammed Israel’s operation in Gaza as “morally unjustifiable” and “wholly disproportionate.” Meanwhile, the EU announced that it would review its relationship with Israel, calling the situation in Gaza “catastrophic.”
On Monday, the leaders of the UK, France, and Canada threatened to take “concrete actions,” including targeted sanctions, if Israel does not stop its renewed military offensive and continues to block aid from entering Gaza.
Since May 5, Israel has been conducting a new offensive in Gaza, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying Monday that his country plans to “take control of the entire Gaza Strip.”
