22-5-2025
Two members of staff of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC have been shot and killed by a gunman.
The young couple are said to be planning their marriage before meeting their untimely death.
The shooting occurred Wednesday evening as the victims and others were leaving an event an event at a Jewish Museum in Washington, the US capital city. The shooter was reported to have shouted “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar identified the victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim. Lischinsky was a research assistant, and Milgrim organized visits and missions to Israel.
The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, was observed pacing outside the museum before the shooting, walked into the museum after the shooting and was detained by event security.
The stunning attack prompted Israeli missions to beef up their security. The shooting comes as Israel has launched another major offensive in the Gaza Strip in a war with Hamas that has heightened tensions across the Middle East and internationally and as antisemitic acts are on the rise.
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” President Donald Trump posted on social media early Thursday. “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”