Two staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., were tragically shot and killed on Wednesday evening as they left an event at a Jewish museum. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Milgrim, an American, were a young couple engaged to be married. Their deaths have shocked the community and raised concerns about rising antisemitism.
The shooting occurred after the couple attended a reception hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum. As they exited the museum, a man identified as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez approached them and opened fire. Witnesses reported that Rodriguez had been pacing outside before the attack. Following the shooting, he entered the museum and was subdued by security, where he reportedly shouted, "Free, free Palestine."
The incident has prompted heightened security measures at Israeli missions and a lowering of flags to half-staff. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his shock, linking the attack to the ongoing climate of antisemitism and incitement against Israel amid the current conflict in Gaza. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington is handling the prosecution of Rodriguez.
This violent act comes during a time of heightened tensions in the region, following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages. Israel’s military response has led to extensive devastation in Gaza, with reports of over 53,000 deaths, mostly among women and children. The ongoing violence has displaced a vast majority of Gaza’s population and created a humanitarian crisis.
The American Jewish Committee’s chief executive, Ted Deutch, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Lischinsky and Milgrim, describing them as vibrant individuals who were looking forward to celebrating Jewish traditions together. The couple had been enjoying the reception moments before their lives were cut short.
As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the implications of this targeted violence. The museum, which had recently received funding to improve security in light of rising threats, released a statement expressing its horror over the senseless act. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Jewish organizations and individuals in the current climate of division and hostility.