Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the murder of two Israeli embassy employees in the United States

Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel today condemned the murder on Wednesday night of two employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington, considering it an act based on anti-Semitism that has been growing.

“We deeply condemn” the attack, said the minister, adding that Portugal’s position had already been conveyed to the Israeli authorities.

“It is unacceptable. On the one hand, because it is an anti-Semitic act and, on the other, because it violates the Vienna Convention” that protects diplomats, he argued.

For Paulo Rangel, the attack shows that “hatred is increasing on both sides” due to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“Anti-Semitism, which already existed before October 7 [2023, when Hamas attacked Israeli territory, starting the war], has been clearly growing in Europe and the West,” he admitted.

On Wednesday night, two Israeli embassy employees in the United States were shot dead outside the Jewish Museum in Washington by an extremist who shouted for the liberation of Palestine when he was detained by police.

The attack prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order increased security measures at Israeli diplomatic missions around the world.