Tsach Saar, the Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York, has issued a cautionary statement to the United States following the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. He emphasizes that radicalism is a broader issue affecting not only Israelis and Jews, but all Americans as well.

“This is not solely an issue concerning Israelis or Jews; it’s a challenge for America as a whole. Those who incite violence and engage in antisemitic rhetoric ultimately threaten the foundation of American democracy,” Saar stated during his interview with Fox News Digital.

The diplomat also discussed the use of the slogan “globalize the Intifada,” which has gained traction at anti-Israel protests. Saar indicates that this phrase symbolizes an intent to export violence globally, reaching regions like the United States, thus amplifying the significance of the shooting in D.C. beyond a mere local incident.

Image shows Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were the latest victims in a long history of attacks on Israeli embassy staff members.  (Image of police vehicle: Photo by Tom Brenner For The Washington Post via Getty Images,Image of Sarah and Yaron: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saar told Fox News Digital that it’s clear that not just Jewish and Israeli students, but also those who express pro-Israel views feel “unsafe” on campuses across the country. While Saar acknowledged that America’s First Amendment “is sacred,” he warned that there is a difference between expressing one’s viewpoint and inciting violence.

Even as Jews and Israelis feel unsafe, Saar does not think the answer is to hide who they are, but rather to unite and “resist by all legal means” those who use lies and hateful rhetoric to incite violence. 

“The answer is not hiding our stars [of David], we should be proud of who we are,” Saar said. He added that he had seen individuals on social media expressing support for the murders of Milgrim and Lischinsky.

Protesters marched to New York’s historic Grand Central Terminal, where they occupied the station for a period of time on April 7, 2025. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Antisemitism has been on the rise in the U.S. since Hamas carried out its attacks against Israel in October 2023. 

In April, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its annual audit on antisemitism in which it identified 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. during 2024, marking a 5% increase from 2023. This was the fourth year in a row that the organization noted a record-breaking number of antisemitic incidents across the country.