Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were shot and killed Wednesday night near a Jewish museum in Washington, according to a message posted by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on the social media platform X. The alleged shooter, who was arrested, shouted “Free Palestine” upon capture, according to local police chief Pamela Smith. The two victims — identified by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs as Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26 — were a couple about to be engaged to be married.
Authorities are investigating the murder in the heart of the U.S. capital as a possible hate crime. On Thursday morning, the Israeli government blamed the attack on “toxic antisemitic incitement,” which it argued was spreading worldwide. “This is what happens when world leaders surrender to the Palestinian terrorist propaganda,” said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, in reference to the growing criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.
In the Palestinian enclave, over 53,000 civilians — mostly women and children — have died in a year and a half under Israeli bombings, and due to a food crisis caused by the Israeli government’s refusal to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip for more than two and a half months.
“There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder,” said Sa’ar at a press conference in Jerusalem, according to Reuters. “This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organizations, especially from Europe.”
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,” Kristi Noem shared on X on Wednesday night.
Tal Naim, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, shared a photo of the couple with the message: “Just this morning we were still laughing together by the coffee corner — and now, all that remains is a picture. Instead of walking you down the aisle, we are walking with you to your graves. What an unbearable loss.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and former judge Jeanine Pirro, now serving as U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, appeared at a late-night press conference alongside Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser; Washington Police Chief Pamela Smith; and Dan Bongino, deputy director in charge of the FBI’s Washington field office, among other officials. The shooting occurred around 9:00 p.m.
Preliminary investigations indicate that both victims were leaving an event organized by the American Jewish Committee for diplomatic staff and Jewish professionals aged 22 to 45 at the Capital Jewish Museum. This museum, officially named the Lillian & Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum, is located near the local FBI office at 500 3rd Street NW, in the heart of Washington. The area surrounding the shooting was cordoned off and placed under heavy police presence.
“We believe the shooting was committed by a single suspect, who is now in custody,” said Smith. “Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun, and opened fire, striking both of our decedents. After the shooting, the suspect then entered the museum, and was detained by event security.”
The alleged attacker identified where he had discarded the weapon, which was recovered, and appeared to acknowledge committing the crime, according to police. “The suspect chanted ‘Free, free Palestine’ while in custody. The suspect has been tentatively identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois,” Smith added.
“Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence,” said Bongino in a message on X. “Our FBI team is fully engaged and we will get you answers as soon as we can, without compromising additional leads.”
Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, also spoke at the press conference. “The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,” said Leiter. The ambassador added that he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump, who promised to fight antisemitism in the United States.
“We are a resilient people, the people of Israel are resilient people, and the people of the United States of America are resilient people,” said Leiter. “Together we won’t be afraid, together we’ll stand, and we’re going to overcome moral depravity of people who think they’re going to achieve political gains through murder.”
Following the killings, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that security at embassies will be strengthened.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was also in contact with Trump. At the press conference, she stated: “We will follow the facts, we will follow the law, and this defendant charged will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after midnight. “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!”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog posted on X that he was “devastated” by the events. “This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism,” he wrote. “We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the U.S. America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”
Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, also posted on social media: “The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives — everywhere in the world.”
Since the Hamas attacks in 2023, Israel’s devastating retaliatory campaign in the Gaza Strip has killed more than 53,500 people — mostly women and children — according to Palestinian authorities. The fighting has displaced 90% of the territory’s roughly two million residents, triggered a food crisis, and leveled vast areas of Gaza’s urban landscape. Wednesday’s shooting in Washington comes as Israel launches a new ground offensive in the enclave, with the war fueling tensions across the Middle East.
Israel’s latest ground operation and its blockade on humanitarian aid distribution have drawn increasing criticism from European countries and contributed to a cooling of relations between the United States and Israel.
Widespread condemnation
On Thursday, European leaders unanimously condemned the Washington shooting, describing it as an act of antisemitism. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, said she was “shocked.” “There is and should be no place in our societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism. I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Israel,” she said.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the attack “an abhorrent act of antisemitic barbarity,” while his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, argued that “nothing can justify antisemitic violence.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said authorities were working to confirm whether one of the victims was a German citizen. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the “appalling, antisemitic crime.”
“Scenes of terror and violence to be strongly condemned. antisemitism born of hatred against Jews must be stopped, the horrors of the past can never return,” said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares issued a “strong” condemnation of the killings, stressing that “nothing justifies antisemitism and this barbaric act.”
Governments from the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Ukraine, Belgium, Finland, Norway, Latvia, and India issued similar statements of condemnation.
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