Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Lapid: ‘Israel stands with the American people’ after deadly plane crash

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,” said the Israeli opposition leader.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a media briefing at Reagan National Airport after a plane crashed into the Potomac River outside Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Ting Shen/AFP via Getty Images.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks at a media briefing at Reagan National Airport after a plane crashed into the Potomac River outside Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Ting Shen/AFP via Getty Images.

Israeli opposition Leader Yair Lapid on Thursday extended his condolences to the American people following the deadly crash between a passenger plane and military helicopter over Washington, D.C on Wednesday night.

“We are all deeply shocked at the tragic plane crash near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Israel stands with the American people at this difficult moment,” tweeted Lapid.

Israel’s embassy in Washington said in an X post it was “horrified to learn about the mid-air collision near Reagan Airport last night.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and first responders,” the diplomatic mission tweeted.

American Airlines confirmed that 60 passengers and four crew were aboard the commercial jet that crashed into the Potomac River late on Wednesday.

“American Eagle Flight 5342 en route from Wichita, Kansas (ICT), to Washington, D.C. (DCA) was involved in an accident at DCA,” according to a statement from the airline.

At least 28 bodies were recovered, Associated Press reported, citing officials.

Three U.S. soldiers were aboard the Black Hawk helicopter.

Officials said they were still searching but did not believe there were any survivors, which would make the crash the deadliest in the U.S. in over two decades.

See more from JNS Staff
A quarter century after the terror attacks in lower Manhattan, Rabbi Yona Reiss spoke to JNS about the agunah cases handled by the Beth Din of America.
“Our motto is God first, and Israel always has a special place in our hearts,” Naoero Foreign Minister Lionel Aingimea said.
Military commanders mobilized reserve units and tested sudden war plans ahead of the High Holidays.
Actor and co-creator of the series shared the difficulties in filming abroad in the wake of the Hamas-led massacre and rising antisemitism.