Attack in Washington: what are the lessons here?
Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. on Wednesday evening. The young couple were soon to be married. A 30-year-old man has been arrested and is expected to be charged with murder. According to police reports, he said he did it for Palestine. Commentators reflect on the causes and necessary consequences.
Dramatic development for all sides
The conflict is getting out of control, writes Der Tagesspiegel's editor-in-chief Christian Tretbar:
“This is apparent from the fact that Israelis around the world are now even more at risk than they already were. Antisemitic attacks threaten to proliferate and reach new proportions. ... What madness. Apparently, so-called 'pro-Palestinian' activists consider murder a legitimate means to protest against the conditions in Gaza. As if that could justify such monstrous acts. The whole situation is becoming dramatic. For Jews, for Israelis worldwide, but of course also for Palestinians.”
Seek more cooperation
It is dangerous to hold states that criticise Israel's policies partially responsible for the attack, the Neue Zürcher Zeitung warns:
“In a world in which international institutions already tend to be hostile towards Israel and in a region full of enemies, cooperation rather than confrontation would be more productive. But because attacks on foreign states go down well with its own people, the Israeli government is isolating itself more and more internationally every day. ... Unfortunately, more guards and barbed wire outside Israeli embassies will be necessary. But one thing is clear: for the sake of its long-term security this small country also needs connections with the rest of the world and sympathy from other countries. Instead of simply bunkering down, Israel should also refrain from alienating its international friends unnecessarily. After all, the Jewish state no longer has many of them left.”
Focus on diplomacy
Milena Santerini, who served as Italian national coordinator against antisemitism from 2020 to 2022, warns in Avvenire of a spiral of violence:
“According to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the attack was 'a despicable act of hatred and antisemitism'. ... This inexcusable and unjustifiable violence has cost two young people their lives and compounded the already unbearable terror situation in the Middle East. This attack is fuelling a vicious circle of violence, with no end in sight. ... Many are asking themselves the tortuous question of what Israel really needs. ... It must resume diplomatic initiatives by proposing a political solution that can bring peace, rather than just a military one.”
Hatred makes things worse for everyone
Sydsvenskan warns:
“There is plenty of criticism of the Israeli prime minister and his far-right government right now. But it is the political leadership that should be criticised - not Israel itself. They are the ones who bear the responsibility. Moreover, unbridled hatred of Israel ultimately contributes to acts like Wednesday's shooting outside a Jewish museum in Washington D.C., in which a young couple who worked at the Israeli embassy were gunned down. ... An appalling and unacceptable act that clearly won't help the Palestinian cause, but will lead to an even more desolate situation.”
History must keep us on our toes
Under no circumstances should we underestimate the danger posed by supposed isolated acts, political scientist Renée Fregosi warns in Le Figaro:
“The totalitarian regimes of yesterday - fascism, communism and National Socialism - showed that starting with initially small minority groups that espouse flawed, incongruous or idiotic theories, they were able to win over masses of weak minds, but also seduce highly educated people, and use them to extend brutality to society as a whole. Today, Islamist totalitarianism and woke terrorism are proving that they are equally capable of mobilising large numbers of intellectuals for their destructive offensives.”