Washington DC experienced a tragic night this Wednesday following the shooting deaths of two employees of the Israeli embassy in the United States by a man who, upon being apprehended, shouted "Free Palestine!" according to authorities and news agencies
The crime took place in front of the Jewish Museum in the capital, in an area filled with government buildings and tourist attractions, including the FBI headquarters.
According to authorities, the incident occurred around 9:08 PM local time (1:08 AM GMT), at which point the police received multiple calls reporting gunfire in the vicinity of the Washington Jewish Museum.
The victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgram, were found unconscious and showing no signs of life.
According to the BBC, both were attending an event aimed at young Jewish professionals, organized by the American Jewish Committee, intended to "promote unity and celebrate Jewish heritage".
The Israeli embassy confirmed their identities and expressed its "devastation" over the loss in a statement.
"Our staff is heartbroken and devastated by his murder," said Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, who also revealed that the couple had plans to get engaged during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem, and that the young man had bought a ring this week with the intent to propose to his girlfriend.
Yaron Lischinsky, 28 years old and of German nationality, had moved to Israel as a teenager and had been working at the Israeli embassy in Washington since 2022.
According to Jenny Havemann, who met him in a German-Israeli group, he was part of a circle of young people who promoted understanding between the two nations.
He was also a "devout Christian," and he planned to propose to Sarah during a trip to Jerusalem.
Sarah Lynn Milgram, her partner, was actively involved in Jewish events in the city and was regarded as "friendly and very beloved" by those who knew her.
The suspect and the arrest
The attacker was identified as Elías Rodríguez, a 30-year-old Hispanic man residing in Chicago.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington (MPD), Rodríguez was seen "loitering back and forth outside the museum" before opening fire on a group of people.
After the attack, he entered the museum, where he was detained by security personnel. According to witnesses and official sources, as he was being arrested, he shouted "Free Palestine!"
The head of the MPD, Pamela Smith, clarified in a press conference that no prior intelligence alert had been received regarding an imminent threat, and that the detained individual did not have a criminal record that would suggest an act of violence of this magnitude.
However, the federal police and security agencies are analyzing whether the attack has "links to possible terrorist acts" or if it was driven by a "hate crime."
The FBI also confirmed that it is evaluating "potential ties or terrorist motivations based on hate or bias crimes."
Reaction of Donald Trump and Marco Rubio
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, was one of the first leaders to speak out after the crime. Through his account on the Truth Social network, he strongly condemned the murder of the two Israeli employees.
"These horrible murders in DC, obviously rooted in antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and radicalism have no place in the United States. My condolences to the families of the victims. It is so sad that things like this can happen. God bless you ALL!" he wrote.
His statements resonated strongly in American conservative media and reignited the debate over the rise of antisemitism in the country.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, also reacted to the crime with a direct message: “We will seek out those responsible and bring them to justice.”
International reactions
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamín Netanyahu, expressed his outrage over the attack and described it as another indication of the rise of anti-Jewish hatred globally.
"We are witnessing the terrible cost of anti-Semitism and the wild incitement against the State of Israel. Blood libels against Israel are on the rise and must be fought to the end," he affirmed.
Additionally, he announced the immediate reinforcement of security at all Israeli diplomatic missions abroad.
President Isaac Herzog, for his part, described the crime as "a despicable act of hatred and antisemitism" that "has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy."
He added that his "heart is with the loved ones of the deceased" and that his "thoughts are with the injured." Herzog also spoke by phone with Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and with the director of the American Jewish Committee, Ted Deutch.
The Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, urged international leaders to cease spreading hostile rhetoric towards Israel: “To the world leaders who succumb to Palestinian terrorist propaganda and propagate it, I ask that you stop your incitement against Israel and refrain from making false accusations.”
From Europe, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security, Kaja Kallas, expressed her "shock" and stated that "there is no room, nor should there be, for hate, extremism, or anti-Semitism in our societies."
The event at which the attack occurred was focused on how to build a coalition to support the residents of the Gaza Strip, adding a tragic and paradoxical hue to what happened.
JoJo Kalin, a member of the board of the American Jewish Committee and organizer of the event, expressed a deep sense of guilt, although he reaffirmed his commitment to peace
Frequently Asked Questions about the Murder of Employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington
What happened in the murder of the employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington?
Two employees of the Israeli embassy were shot dead outside the Jewish Museum in Washington by a man who shouted "Free Palestine!" when apprehended. The attack took place in an area with government buildings and tourist attractions.
Who was responsible for the attack on the employees of the Israeli embassy?
The attacker was identified as Elías Rodríguez, a 30-year-old Hispanic man residing in Chicago. He was arrested following the attack and, at the time of his arrest, shouted slogans in favor of Palestine.
What reactions has the attack generated in the international community?
The attack has been strongly condemned by international leaders, such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who highlighted the rise of global antisemitism. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, also condemned the crime and emphasized the need to put an end to antisemitism in the country.
What has been the response of the U.S. authorities to the shooting?
The authorities, including the FBI, are investigating whether the attack has possible terrorist links or if it was a hate crime. The Metropolitan Police of Washington indicated that there were no prior criminal records of the attacker that would suggest an act of violence of this magnitude.
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