Benjamin Netanyahu compares shooter’s cry of ‘Free Palestine’ to yelling ‘Heil Hitler’

Benjamin Netanyahu has erupted after two Israeli embassy staffers were killed in Washington DC.

Benjamin Netanyahu has equated cries of “Free Palestine” to those of “Heil Hitler” after two Israeli embassy staffers were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Thursday.

Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a US employee of the embassy. Mr Lischinsky had reportedly bought an engagement ring and was planning to propose to Ms Milgrim during a trip to Jerusalem next week.

The targeted event was an annual reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) for young Jewish professionals and the Washington diplomatic community.

The suspect, Chicago man Elias Rodriguez, was arrested at the scene – shouting “Free, free Palestine” as he was handcuffed. The 31-year-old has been charged with murder of foreign officials and other crimes.

Rodriguez told police after his arrest: “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”

In a video statement overnight, Mr Netanyahu described Rodriguez as a “terrorist who cruelly gunned them down … for one reason and one reason alone – he wanted to kill Jews”.

“(‘Free Palestine’) is exactly the same chant we heard on October 7th,” the Israeli Prime Minister continued, referring to the 2023 date when Palestinian militant group Hamas raided the nation, killing 1200 people and taking 240 hostage.

Israel’s aggressive and relentless retaliatory campaign in Gaza has led to the deaths of at least 53,655 Palestinians and wounded 121,950, according to the latest figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Picture: Ronen Zvulun/Pool Photo via AP

Israeli citizen Yaron Lischinsky, right, and US citizen Sarah Milgrim were shot and killed while leaving an event at a Jewish museum in Washington. Picture: Embassy of Israel in the US via AP

In the wake of October 7, Mr Netanyahu said, then-Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz compared Hamas to the Nazis.

“He was right. And if they could get away with it, these Hamas terrorists would have slaughtered every last Jew on earth,” the Prime Minister claimed.

“For these neo-Nazis, ‘Free Palestine’ is just today’s version of ‘Heil Hitler’.

“They don’t want a Palestinian state. They want to destroy the Jewish state. They want to annihilate the Jewish people, who have been in the Land of Israel for 3500 years.”

According to The Times of Israel, Mr Lischinsky was Christian. He also held a German passport.

Footage taken by witnesses captured the moment Elias Rodriguez was arrested. Picture: @YuvalDavid/X

Rodriguez told police after his arreest: ‘I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza’. Picture: @YuvalDavid/X

Israel blames Europe after embassy staff shot dead

Mr Netanyahu also accused the leaders of countries that support a two-state solution – specifically Britain, Canada and France – of “reward(ing) these murderers with the ultimate prize”.

“When mass murderers, rapists, baby killers and kidnappers thank you, you’re on the wrong side of justice,” he continued.

“You’re on the wrong side of humanity and you’re on the wrong side of history.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also blamed European criticism of his country’s stepped-up Gaza offensive, claiming “a direct line connecting anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder”.

“This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organisations, especially from Europe,” he said.

The accusation, French Foreign Ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine said, was “completely outrageous and completely unjustified”.

Mr Netanyahu blamed world leaders who support a two-state solution for emboldening the likes of Rodriguez. Picture: AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr

Law enforcement work the scene outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Picture: AP Photo/Rod Lamkey Jr

Tensions have risen in the United States and many other countries over the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, with pro-Palestinian activists decrying what they say is the intolerable human cost of the military offensive.

Britain and France – who have stepped up their criticism of Israel’s actions – were among those condemning the shooting, as well as Germany and the United Arab Emirates.

Israel’s consul in New York City also sought to draw a link between the shooting and US student protests against the war in Gaza, which he painted as “unprecedented riots organised by terrorists”.

US President Donald Trump said that the shooting was “based obviously on antisemitism” in a post on his Truth Social platform.

“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!,” the President wrote.

A Palestinian woman carries a toddler as she walks amid the destruction following Israeli strikes in Jabalia's Saftawi neighbourhood in the northern Gaza Strip on May 22. Picture: Bashar Taleb/AFP

The shooting came just days after 23 countries, including Australia, condemned Israel’s pledge to “take control” of Gaza, urging the nation to allow aid to flow in via IDF-controlled checkpoints after blocking humanitarian assistance into the war zone for months.

Israel allowed five aid trucks into Gaza on Monday – the first since it started blocking shipments on March 2. Mr Netanyahu said his government was committed to preventing starvation conditions in Gaza, but wanted to ensure aid could not be “looted” by Hamas.

The new “method is distribution points that are secured by the IDF, preventing Hamas’ access and allowing American companies to distribute the food and medicine aid to the population”.

In a joint statement signed alongside her counterparts in major democratic nations, including the UK, Japan, Canada and Italy, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she could not support the “new model” and that humanitarian aid should not be subject to political or military conditions.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has condemned Israel for blocking humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Picture: NewsWire/Martin Ollman

The ministers warned food, medicine and essential supplies are now “exhausted” and Gazans face starvation.

“As humanitarian donors, we have two straightforward messages for the Government of Israel: allow a full resumption of aid into Gaza immediately and enable the UN and humanitarian organisations to work independently and impartially to save lives, reduce suffering and maintain dignity,” the statement read.

“We remain committed to meeting the acute needs we see in Gaza.

“We also reiterate our firm message that Hamas must immediately release all remaining hostages and allow humanitarian assistance to be distributed without interference.”

The statement ended with a call for an immediate return to a ceasefire and the implementation of a two-state solution.

– with AFP

Originally published as Benjamin Netanyahu compares shooter’s cry of ‘Free Palestine’ to yelling ‘Heil Hitler’