Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot (Les Engagés) has condemned the killing of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington DC.
Israeli couple Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinksky were shot dead as they left an event at the Capital Jewish museum in the US capital. A 30-year-old suspect, named as Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, has been detained. Police are reportedly looking into the suspect's “ties to potential terrorism”.
Writing on social media, Foreign Minister Prévot condemned the attack. “My thoughts are with the families of the two Israeli diplomats killed yesterday in Washington,” he said.
“I condemn this heinous and inappropriate act. The spiral of violence must stop. The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians must not be exported: it must be resolved. Quickly and permanently.”
Security stepped up in Antwerp
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said security will be increased at Israeli embassies worldwide following the incident.
In Antwerp, home to Belgium’s largest Jewish community, police presence was stepped up today in response to the attack. The city's Jewish quarter was already under increased surveillance due to the situation in Gaza.
David Cleiren, acting spokesman for the mayor’s office said: “Antwerp's Jewish community can count on police surveillance maintained at a reinforced level, with the deployment of local and federal police officers.”
“In light of the terrible events in the United States, we anticipate increased vigilance and deployment in the coming days. To this end, the Antwerp police remain in close contact with the Jewish security service Shmira.”
Yesterday, the Israeli army fired shots in the direction of an international diplomatic delegation – which included a Belgian diplomat – in the city of Jenin in the occupied Palestinian West Bank. No injuries were reported in the incident.
In a statement, the Israeli army (IDF) said it "regrets the inconvenience caused" and announced that it would hold talks with the diplomats "soon."
