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Israel condemns assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey

Netanyahu called for a combined effort to fight global terrorism. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement on Monday condemning “the brutal” assassination of Russian ambassador to Ankara Andrey Karlov.

“Israel condemns the brutal assassination of Ambassador Andrey Karlov this evening in Ankara. We send our deepest condolences to his family and to the Russian people. The murder of a diplomat serves as a stark reminder of the need for the civilized world to come together in fighting the forces of terrorism,” Netanyahu stated.

Authorities are still investigating the incident in which a Turkish policeman, Mevlut Mert Altintas, shot and killed Karlov while he was addressing a crowd during an exhibit at a photo gallery.

After shooting the ambassador in the back, Altintas shouted in Turkish, “Don’t forget Aleppo. Don’t forget Syria… You won’t be safe. Only my dead body will leave here,” before exclaiming Allahu akbar.”

Altintas, a member of Ankara’s riot police squad, was later killed in a shootout with police.

US President-elect Donald Trump blamed Islamic terrorism for the deadly attack, vowing anew to eradicate their regional and global networks.

Trump called the brazen shooting of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey “a violation of all rules of civilized order”” which was carried out by a “radical Islamist terrorist.”

By: World Israel News Staff and AP