
'Perpetrators must be brought to justice': India condemns killing of Israeli diplomats in US
External affairs minister S Jaishankar (File photo/PTI)
NEW DELHI: External affairs minister
S Jaishankar
on Thursday condemned the killing of the
Israeli diplomats
in Washington, saying the "perpetrators must be brought to justice".
"Condemn in the strongest term the killing of Israeli diplomats in Washington DC.
Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and colleagues. The perpetrators must be brought to justice," Jaishnark wrote on X.
"Thank you, dear friend!" replied Israeli foreign minister
Gideon Sa'ar
to the minister's post.
A man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, chanted "Free Palestine" while being taken into custody.
The suspect, identified as
Elias Rodriguez
, 30, of Chicago, allegedly opened fire on Wednesday evening near the Capital Jewish Museum, where the victims, a man and a woman, had just attended an event.
They were among a group of four people when the suspect reportedly approached and began shooting.
At a press briefing, Washington, DC, police chief Pamela Smith said the suspect had been seen pacing outside the museum prior to the attack. He was subdued and detained by event security shortly after the incident.
'While in custody, the suspect repeatedly chanted, 'Free, free Palestine,'' Smith said, as quoted by news agency Reuters.
U.S. Gunman Shouts 'Free Palestine,' Shoots Israeli Embassy Employees Outside Jewish Museum
The victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are probing the motive and any potential links to extremist activity.
US President Donald Trump also reacted to the fatal killings, saying "hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA". Trump said the incident was "based on antisemitism".
"These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, now! 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!" he posted on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump Fumes As Pro-Palestine Gunman 'Murders' Israeli Couple; Netanyahu Beefs Security Of Embassies
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
100 Democrats urge Trump officials to restore deportation relief for Afghans in the US
A group of 100 Democratic lawmakers has urged the Trump administration to reverse its decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans in the US, warning it would endanger thousands of lives by sending them back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers wrote, 'The grave conditions that forced Afghan nationals to flee and seek refuge in the US following the return of the Taliban to power remain.' They added, 'Forcing Afghan nationals in the US to return to Afghanistan would be reckless and inhumane, and would threaten the safety and well-being of thousands of individuals and families, especially women and girls.' Led by Senator Chris Van Hollen, Senator Amy Klobuchar, and Representative Glenn Ivey, the lawmakers urged the administration to reinstate TPS protections. TPS provides temporary deportation relief and work authorisation for immigrants from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions that prevent safe return. DHS announced in May that it would terminate TPS for Afghans by July 14, arguing that conditions had improved and continued presence was against national interests. Roughly 11,700 Afghans are currently enrolled in TPS, though about 3,600 have secured green cards. The Trump administration has already ended TPS protections for some 350,000 Venezuelans and moved to end the program for thousands of Cameroonians, raising broader concerns about the future of TPS protections for vulnerable immigrant groups.


News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
Trump's New Visa Vetting Process Sends Indian Students In Frenzy To Delete Social Media Posts
Last Updated: The Trump administration announced a new process that includes social media profile screening of visa applicants, causing Indian students to delete posts and social media accounts. Indian students are rushing frantically to delete social media posts in a desperate bid to escape the Trump administration's crackdown on international students, after it announced a new process that includes social media profile screening. An internal cable from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the social media posts of visa applicants will be scrutinised before allowing them entry. The move came amid a broader crackdown on international students after pro-Palestinian protests engulfed US university campuses last year. This move has sparked alarm among Indian students applying for US colleges and sent them into a frenzy to delete their social media posts that the Trump administration may see and deem sufficient enough to deny them entry into the country. How Social Media Vetting Has Affected Students? Amid Trump's strict social media checks for visa applicants, a growing number of Indian students are not only deleting their posts but removing their accounts altogether to avoid circumstances that derail their plans to study in the US. A student named Manya (name changed), who was selected for a master's programme at an Ivy League university, has deleted her Instagram and LinkedIn profiles after her visa counsellor warned her that her political posts may pose a threat to her application, according to a report by India Today. Another student, Diljeet (name changed), turned his social media handles to private settings. They are among the students who are concerned that their political views, humour or activism may be misinterpreted by US authorities, which would eventually result in the rejection of their visas. Even the smallest hint of political activism may lead to the rejection of a US visa, says Mamta Shekhawat, founder of 'Immigration authorities require student visa applicants to provide their social media handles for the previous five years, allowing them to make character evaluations and determine whether and how the applicant's professional and academic background matches the visa objectives," she said. Will This Protect Students? However, visa counsellors have warned that such a drastic step, such as the sudden deletion of content or social media handles, could raise suspicion that can lead to suspicion among US vetting authorities. They have also warned that even liking or sharing content could be considered illegal. Shekhawat asserted the importance of responsible online behaviour, saying students need to be careful about what they delete, as this pattern might become evident during the vetting process. Pro-Palestinian views or perceived anti-American sentiments could invite extra scrutiny on the applicants. A PhD student at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) began erasing his social media presence, after a US university paused his post-doctoral appointment, as per reports. However, he remains unsure about whether it would be enough to get the visa. What Is Social Media Vetting? The US State Department's directive indicates a plan to issue updated guidance on social media vetting for all student and exchange visitor (F, M, J) visa applicants to scrutinize applicants' online activity and thereby assess their eligibility for entry. 'Effective immediately, in preparation for an expansion of required social media screening and vetting, consular sections should not add any additional student or exchange visitor (F, M, and J) visa appointment capacity until further guidance is issued … in the coming days," a Tuesday diplomatic cable reportedly said, as reported by Politico. Officials will review social media profiles for content that could deem them inadmissible, and posts – like the ones on terrorism and antisemitism – could trigger intensified scrutiny. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Indian students United states us visa rules Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 04, 2025, 23:03 IST News world Trump's New Visa Vetting Process Sends Indian Students In Frenzy To Delete Social Media Posts


NDTV
34 minutes ago
- NDTV
Putin Said Very Strongly He'll "Have To Respond": Trump On Ukraine Drone Strike
Washington DC / Moscow: US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke for more than an hour during which the Russian leader made it very clear that Moscow will "have to respond" to the daring drone attack launched by Ukraine deep inside Russia. "Putin said very strongly that he will have to respond to Ukraine's drone attack," President Trump said immediately after getting off the phone with his Russian counterpart, however, he deleted the post minutes after sharing it - a screengrab of which may be seen below: On Sunday, Ukraine carried out what has been described by war analysts as the most audacious drone attack in military history, targeting and destroying Russian Air Force jets parked at strategic air bases deep inside Russian territory. The attack left dozens of Russia's strategic bombers, transport aircraft, and airborne warning aircraft decimated. Moscow was caught off-guard presumably over the fact that these airbases are located so far inside Russia that the sheer distance was enough to keep aircraft safe from a Ukrainian attack. The attack has given a huge boost to Kyiv's morale, while creating a big dent on the morale of Moscow. Though peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow went as planned a day after the stunning attack, the conflict has intensified in the last 48 hours. Meanwhile, President Trump spoke with President Putin today. "I just finished speaking, by telephone, with President Vladimir Putin, of Russia. The call lasted approximately one hour and 15 minutes. We discussed the attack on Russia's docked airplanes, by Ukraine, and also various other attacks that have been taking place by both sides," President Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social. He said that today discussion was "good, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate peace." "President Putin did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields," President Trump revealed. The Russian President's warning comes two days after Ukraine's Zelensky claimed that as many as 41 Russian military jets were destroyed in the Trojan-horse styled attack, in which drones were sent secretly concealed in container trucks before being deployed remotely. The air bases targeted by Ukraine were the Belaya Air Base in Siberia's Irkutsk, the Olenya Air Base in the Arctic region's Murmansk, the Ivanovo Severny Air Base in Ivanovo, the Dyagilevo Air Base in Ryazan, and Ukrainka Air Base in Russia's Far East. While the nearest of these air bases is located more than 500 km from the Ukraine border, the farthest one is located as much as 8,000 km from the border. These attacks are being called the most audacious in military history due to its scale and reach. Though western allies have supplied Ukraine with missiles too - the US-made ATACMS and the British-French-made Storm Shadow - neither has the range to hit these air bases located deep inside Russian territory. During the call on Tuesday, Presidents Trump and Putin "also discussed Iran, and the fact that time is running out on Iran's decision pertaining to nuclear weapons, which must be made quickly! I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement," President Trump said. "President Putin suggested that he will participate in the discussions with Iran and that he could, perhaps, be helpful in getting this brought to a rapid conclusion. It is my opinion that Iran has been slowwalking their decision on this very important matter, and we will need a definitive answer in a very short period of time," the US President stated.