Washington, DC—Below is a statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors President Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew Ginther on last night’s murder of a diplomat and U.S. employee from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC:
“America’s mayors are outraged and saddened by the murder of two Israeli Embassy employees outside of an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, DC sponsored by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). There is no question that this tragedy was an antisemitic hate crime, and we condemn it. We agree with Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s statement last night—we will not tolerate such violence or hate in our cities; we will not tolerate such acts of terrorism; and we will not tolerate antisemitism.
“Our condolences go to the families and friends of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, to the Ambassador and staff of Israel’s Embassy in Washington, and to our good friends at the American Jewish Committee, an organization with which the U.S. Conference of Mayors has a strong partnership.
“For more than 30 years, the Conference has supported programs and initiatives to address hate-fueled violence in our nation—standing together in solidarity with organizations including the Anti-Defamation League and the AJC. In more recent years as antisemitism has been on the rise, we have taken actions to help mayors speak out against antisemitic incidents and to reduce and prevent them in the future. Last night’s tragedy sends a message that we must redouble our efforts to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate and extremism.”