Yaron Lischinsky, right, and his partner Sarah Milgrim. (Israeli Embassy in Washington)
Two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed late on May 21, with Metropolitan Police saying the suspect yelled, “Free, free Palestine” after he was arrested.
In a press conference, Police Chief Pamela Smith said that Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when the suspect approached them and started shooting.
The suspect, identified as 30-years-old Elias Rodriguez, was observed pacing outside the museum before the attack, according to Pamela, who added that Rodriguez walked into the museum after the shooting and was detained by event security.
Tal Naim Cohen, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington, confirmed that the two staff members were shot “at close range” while attending a Jewish event at the museum.
Video footage posted to social networks later showed Rodriguez chanting, “Free, free Palestine,” as he was being taken into custody.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he was “shocked by the horrifying antisemitic murder,” and said that security will be stepped up at Israeli embassies around the world in reaction to the shooting.
“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and the wild incitement against the State of Israel,” the primer said in a statement released by his office. “The blood libels against Israel are costing us blood and must be fought relentlessly.”
“My heart aches with the families of the young couple, whose lives were cut short by a despicable antisemitic murderer. I have ordered security arrangements to be boosted in Israeli diplomatic missions around the world and around representatives of the state,” he added.
Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump condemned the shooting in a post on Truth Social, saying: “These horrible DC 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!”
The deadly shooting attack in Washington came amid a large-scale Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip that caused worldwide contamination.
The Israeli war on Gaza has so far claimed the lives of more than 53,00 Palestinians, mostly women and children. More than 3,000 of the casualties were killed after Israel resumed operations in Gaza last March, shattering a ceasefire and hostage agreement that was brokered with help from the U.S. in January.
Netanyahu has openly stated that the ongoing offensive codenamed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” is meant to take control of all of Gaza.
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