Latest news with #IsraelForeignMinistry
The National
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Outrage as Israel releases footage of Flotilla hostages
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship the Madleen was captured by Israel's forces overnight, with activist Greta Thunberg, who was on board, saying in a statement that they had been 'intercepted and kidnapped'. Separately, Israel's foreign ministry called the boat a "selfie yacht'. READ MORE: Freedom Flotilla urges UK Government to 'protect' ship from Israel as it nears Gaza The ministry then shared a video at 2.25am, showing the hostages being given water and sandwiches. The caption reads: "All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over." All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025 The video has 11.1 million views on Twitter/X, with more than 8000 comments. One states: "Worst propaganda I've ever seen". Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha also replied: "Shame on you. These people did not come to be fed by YOU. "They left their countries and families to feed other people you are murdering, to stand in solidarity with them, to stand up for humanity which you have been slaughtering every single day." The activists had set out to protest against Israel's ongoing military campaign in the Gaza Strip and its restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid, both of which have put the territory of some two million Palestinians at risk of famine. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organised the voyage, said the activists were 'kidnapped by Israeli forces' while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the territory. 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies —confiscated,' it said in a statement. Australian Green senator David Shoebridge said the seizure of the board was a 'clear breach of international law". The UK Government has been approached for comment. READ MORE: Israel issues statement after 'unlawfully' detaining Madleen aid ship to Gaza At approximately 12.30am on Monday, the coalition said drones had been spotted above the ship. Video footage from crew members onboard the Madleen shows a white substance which had been thrown onto the ship. The coalition described the substance as "irritant", with several crew members reporting that their eyes were burning. The Madleen was reportedly flying the red ensign, the UK's shipping flag. That means the UK Government retains jurisdiction over the ship even if it was in international waters. However, if the ship entered Israeli waters, then it may become subject to Israeli laws.
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First Post
15 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Greta Thunberg, activists pushed back from Gaza; Israel shares video of Madleen boat
Israel shared a video of the prominent activists who were onboard the Gaza aid ship, which will now head towards Ashdod Port. Defence Minister Israel Katz said that the passengers will be shown videos from October 7. read more Israel's Foreign Ministry shared a video showing the detained activists who were bound to an aid boat heading to Gaza. The Israeli authorities shared the video after seizing control of the vessel named 'Madleen', which was carrying prominent activists, including Climate Activist Greta Thunberg. The Israeli Foreign Ministry shared the video of the activists on board being given food and water. The Israeli authorities have been calling it a 'selfie yacht,' negating the importance of the mission. 'All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over,' the ministry wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Earlier, the ministry noted that the boat was being towed to Israeli shores, and the activists would be deported soon after they arrive in Israel. The Israeli authorities noted that the 'tiny amount of aid' it was carrying would be sent to Gaza. All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025 Where is the boat now heading According to The Times of Israel, the Madleen and its passengers will be taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The Israeli news outlet reported that the naval unit, Shayetet 13, was responsible for the interception at around 3 am local time. Meanwhile, Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, issued a statement congratulating the Israeli army on the 'quick and safe takeover' of the Madleen, the Gaza-bound aid vessel. Katz said that activists would show the video of the October 7 attacks. 'I congratulate the IDF for the quick and safe takeover of the 'Madlan' flotilla to prevent them from breaking the blockade and reaching the shores of Gaza. I instructed the IDF to show the flotilla passengers the video of the horrors of the October 7 massacre when they arrive at the port of Ashdod,' the Israeli defence minister said in the post. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Israeli Navy is currently communicating with the 'selfie yacht'. Using an international civilian communication system, the Israeli Navy has instructed the 'selfie yacht' to change its course due to its approach toward a restricted area. — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 8, 2025 'It is appropriate that the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who the Hamas terrorist organisation they came to support and for whom they work is, what atrocities they committed against women, the elderly, and children, and against whom Israel is fighting to defend itself,' he added. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the interception of the vessel and called for the protection of the crew onboard. The MFA based in the West Bank said that it 'appreciates their efforts and the extreme hardships and dangers they endured at sea in pursuit of this noble humanitarian goal of standing by our people in the Gaza Strip.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The Ministry calls on the international community and all countries to heed the call of international activists and their humanitarian message,' the ministry further reads.
The Herald Scotland
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Israeli embassy workers killed identified as Yaron Lischinsky, Sarah Lynn Milgrim
The couple was exiting the Capital Jewish Museum around 9 p.m. ET when they were shot, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference. The suspect was identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago. Rodriguez was detained by security and yelled "Free, free Palestine," when taken into custody, Smith said. Investigators believe Rodriguez acted alone. Lischinsky and Milgrim were about to get engaged, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said during the news conference. "The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem," Leiter said. "They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington's cultural center." Capital Jewish Museum Shooting: Couple slain as they exited DC Jewish community event What to know about shooting outside D.C.'s Capital Jewish Museum Smith said a preliminary investigation indicates that the victims were exiting an event at the Capitol Jewish Museum when the shooting occurred. Rodriguez was seen pacing back and forth outside the museum before the shooting, Smith said. The suspect approached a group of four people and opened fire, striking Lischinsky and Milgrim. Rodriguez entered the museum and was detained by event security, Smith said. Officers responding to the scene discovered one man and one woman unconscious and not breathing, Smith said. Despite "life-saving efforts" by first responders, both Lischinsky and Milgrim died at the scene, Smith added. We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington -- Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. May their memory be a blessing. We embrace the grieving families during this... — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 22, 2025 Who was Yaron Lischinsky? Lischinsky was a research assistant for Middle East and North African affairs at the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., according to his LinkedIn. He held a master's degree in government, diplomacy & strategy from Reichman University in Israel and a bachelor's degree in international relations & Asian studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was also fluent in English, Hebrew and German, according to his LinkedIn. "I'm an ardent believer in the vision that was outlined in the Abraham Accords and believe that expanding the circle of peace with our Arab neighbors and pursuing regional cooperation is in the best interest of the State of Israel and the Middle East as a whole," Lischinsky said on his LinkedIn profile. Who was Sarah Lynn Milgrim? Milgrim worked at the Israeli embassy since November 2023, according to her LinkedIn profile. She held a master's degree in international affairs from American University, a master's degree in natural resources and sustainable development from The University for Peace and a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Kansas, according to her profile. "My passion lies at the intersection of peacebuilding, religious engagement, and environmental work," she said on her LinkedIn profile. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at
American Military News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Video/Pic: 2 Israeli diplomats shot, killed in DC by pro-Palestinian suspect
Two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot and killed by a pro-Palestinian suspect after leaving an event on Wednesday at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Israel Foreign Ministry identified the two victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim and shared a picture of the two Israeli Embassy staff members who were reportedly preparing to be engaged. 'We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington,' the Israeli Foreign Ministry stated. 'Israeli diplomats and representatives around the world stand on the frontlines of Israel's diplomatic efforts — defending the country with their very lives. We will not be deterred by terror. We will continue our mission across the globe, with unwavering commitment to represent Israel with pride.' We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. May their memory be a blessing. We embrace the grieving families during this… — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 22, 2025 Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith told reporters that law enforcement officials responded to Wednesday's shooting at roughly 9:08 p.m. and discovered the two Israeli diplomats, who were declared dead after first responders engaged in life-saving efforts. According to Fox News, Smith confirmed that officials arrested 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, who is believed to have shot and killed the two Israeli diplomats after approaching the two victims, who were in a group with two other individuals. Tal Naim Cohen, an Israeli Embassy spokesperson, told Fox News that Lischinsky and Milgrim were shot 'at close range' while leaving an event at the museum hosted by the American Jewish Committee. READ MORE: Video/Pic: 1 killed, 4 injured in 'terrorism' explosion in California Smith told reporters that the suspect entered the Capital Jewish Museum following the shooting and was arrested by security officials. A video shared on social media shows Rodriguez shouting 'Free, free Palestine!' after his arrest. The DC shooting suspect has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, a resident of Chicago. After his arrest, he shouted, 'Free Palestine!'This is the result of months and months of unchecked propaganda and violent rhetoric. Democrats need to own this. — Phoeni𝕏 2A 🇺🇸 (@Phoenix2A_1980s) May 22, 2025 According to Fox News, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Assistant Director in Charge of the Washington Field Office Steven Jensen confirmed that the FBI is investigating Wednesday's 'heinous crime' as a potential hate crime or as a crime with potential ties to terrorism. In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump wrote, 'These horrible D.C. 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!' Vice President J.D. Vance also expressed his sympathy for the families of the two Israeli staff members. 'My heart breaks for Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum. Antisemitic violence has no place in the United States,' Vance tweeted. 'We're praying for their families and all of our friends at the Israeli Embassy, where the two victims worked.'
