Two Israeli embassy staffers — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram — were murdered in a shooting attack outside the Capitol Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night.
The attacker yelled “Free, free Palestine,” after he was arrested, according to Washington Metropolitan Police. Eyewitnesses told CNN that the suspect informed police that he carried out the attack “for Gaza” and shouted, “there is only one solution, Intifada revolution.”
Before the shooting, the suspect was seen pacing outside the museum before approaching a group of four people and opening fire. After the shooting, he entered the museum and was detained by event security.
Shooter believed that many Americans would see the shooting as ‘the only sane thing to do’
The suspect was identified as Elias Rodriguez, a man in his 30s from Chicago. Rodriguez was reportedly affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which has taken a staunch anti-Israel stance throughout the war in Gaza.
Ken Klippenstein, a journalist with The Intercept, published what appeared to be Rodriguez’s manifesto.
In the alleged manifesto, Rodriguez wrote at length about what he described as “the atrocities committed by Israelis against Palestine.” He also compared the war in Gaza to the war in Yemen, attributing the entire death toll in that conflict to the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom, without any mention of the role the Iran-backed Houthis have played in the war.
Rodriguez also insisted that public opinion in the U.S. was overwhelmingly against Israel, but that officials weren’t listening. Rodriguez added that he believed that what he called “armed demonstration” would have been justified in past conflicts between Israel and Hamas, but that “to most Americans such an action would have been illegible, would seem insane.”
“I am glad that today at least there are many Americans for which the action will be highly legible and, in some funny way, the only sane thing to do,” Rodriguez concluded.
Yaron and Sarah were set to be engaged
Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, said that Lischinsky had just bought a ring this week and was going to propose to Milgram next week in Jerusalem.
“They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center,” Leiter said. “We are a resilient people. The people of Israel are resilient people, and the people of the United States of America are resilient people. Together we won’t be afraid, together we’ll stand, and we’re going to overcome the moral depravity of people who think they’re going to achieve political gains through murder.”
Attack targeted an event focused on humanitarian diplomacy
The American Jewish Committee was holding its Young Diplomats Reception at the museum when the attack was carried out. The annual reception brings together Jewish young professionals and the diplomatic community.
This year’s event theme was “turning pain into purpose,” with a focus on humanitarian diplomacy. The Multifaith Alliance and IsraAID spoke at the reception, which discussed how a coalition of organizations works together in response to humanitarian crises throughout the Middle East and North Africa, reportedly including the situation in Gaza.
AJC CEO Ted Deutch said after the attack: “We are devastated that two cherished friends and partners from the Israeli embassy were shot and killed as they left an AJC event at the Capital Jewish Museum earlier this evening. This is a shocking act of violence, and our community is holding each other tighter tonight.”
“While we wait for the conclusion of the police investigation – and urge all our friends and allies to do the same – it strongly appears that this was an attack motivated by hate against the Jewish people and the Jewish state. This senseless hate and violence must stop,” Deutch added, thanking the Trump administration, local officials, and law enforcement for their swift action and support.
“At moments like these, the Jewish community stands strongly together. We are also immensely grateful for the outpouring of support from our friends and allies around the world,” the AJC CEO said.
IsraAID noted that the event with the Multifaith Alliance focused on bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza through Israeli-Palestinian and regional collaboration.
“We, and all the attendees, gathered in the interest of finding practical solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and showing that working together is the only way forward for all the people in the region,” said the organization. “The brutal and tragic irony that such an event – motivated by humanitarian principles – was targeted for more violence is heartbreaking. We unequivocally condemn this attack.”
“As both an independent Israel-based NGO and international humanitarian aid group, IsraAID has played a key role in bringing relevant actors to the table throughout the conflict – Israelis, Palestinians and INGOs – with the aim of averting a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Alongside working hand-in-hand with Israeli communities attacked on October 7 to rebuild their lives, we have worked day-and-night with partners to facilitate and support bringing essential aid and medical support to crisis-affected people in Gaza,” IsraAID stressed.
“IsraAID remains committed to the pursuit of a future where communities living through crisis have the strength, support, and opportunities they need to build a more resilient tomorrow – regardless of race, nationality, or creed.”
Deadly attack draws international condemnation
President Donald Trump condemned the attack in a Truth Social post, writing, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! 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!”
In a conversation shortly after the attack, Trump promised Leiter that the administration would do everything possible to fight antisemitism and the demonization and delegitimization of Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed after the attack that “We are witness to the terrible cost of the antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel.”
“Blood libels against Israel have a cost in blood and must be fought to the utmost,” Netanyahu continued. “My heart grieves for the families of the young beloveds, whose lives were cut short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer. I have directed that security be increased at Israeli missions around the world and for the state’s representatives.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent his support to the embassy staff and to the Jewish community, saying, “America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us.”
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar revealed that he had been worried that an attack like this would happen.
“There is no one week without a terror attacks or attempts (at) terror attacks around the world and usually more than one,” said Sa’ar to the CNN.
Ukraine, Germany, the European Union, the U.K., Austria, Ireland, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic condemned the attack in official statements on Thursday.
This was the first lethal antisemitic attack in the U.S. since an attack in Monsey, New York, in 2019. Attempts to carry out deadly attacks against Jews in Israel and around the world have risen since the Oct. 7 attacks. At least one of those attempts targeted an Israeli consulate in New York.
