Two Israeli embassy staffers killed in Washington shooting

Two members of the Israeli Embassy’s staff were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington on Wednesday night by a gunman who chanted “Free, Free Palestine,” officials said, condemning the attack as an antisemitic hate crime.

A single suspect is in custody, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters, identifying the suspect as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, Illinois. Israel said it’s boosting security around embassies and diplomatic staff, which had already been on high alert given international outcry at the 19-month-old war in Gaza.

“I’m very worried,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told a news conference. “There is not one week without terror attacks or attempts at terror attacks around the world.”

The shooting victims — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim — had planned to get engaged next week in Jerusalem, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said.

“They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center,” he said. The victims’ ages were not immediately provided.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the suspect as a terrorist “who wanted to kill all Jews.” He also rued a spreading “lie” about Israel starving Palestinian children. “The press repeats it. The mob believed it. And a young couple is then brutally gunned down in Washington,” he said in a video that his office posted on X.

Israel has sent 1.8 million tons of aid since Oct. 7, 2023, which is “more than enough food to feed everyone in Gaza,” Netanyahu added.

There was bipartisan condemnation in the U.S. capital.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” US President Donald Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. “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!”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the act “seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog echoed those comments.

“I am devastated by the scenes in Washington,” Herzog said. “This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism.”

The shooting occurred around 9 p.m. near Third Street and F Street NW, near Georgetown University’s Law School and the FBI’s Washington field office, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser assured the public there was no ongoing threat and condemned the incident.

“This horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country, and I want to be clear that we will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city,” Bowser said. “We’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send a clear message that we will not tolerate antisemitism.”

The FBI is assisting in the investigation to determine potential ties to terrorism or hate crimes, said Steve Jensen, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the suspect, if charged, would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Sa’ar cast the attack as an outcome of what he deemed unfair condemnation of Israel’s war tactics by foreign leaders and media reports. Such criticism has surged after U.N. warnings that an aid blockade is bringing Gazans to the brink of famine.

Israel went to war after Hamas invaded it on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250. More than 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israel has lost more than 400 troops in Gaza combat.

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(With assistance from Sherif Tarek.)

(Updates to add Netanyahu’s comments in sixth, seventh paragraphs.)

Two members of the Israeli embassy’s staff were killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington on Wednesday night by a gunman who chanted “Free, Free Palestine,” officials said, condemning the attack as an antisemitic hate crime.

A single suspect is in custody, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith told reporters, identifying the suspect as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago. Israel said it’s boosting security around embassies and diplomatic staff, which had already been on high alert given international outcry at the 19-month-old war in Gaza.

“I’m very worried,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told a news conference. “There is not one week without terror attacks or attempts at terror attacks around the world.”

The shooting victims — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim — had planned to get engaged next week in Jerusalem, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said.

“They were a beautiful couple who came to enjoy an evening in Washington’s cultural center,” he said. The victims’ ages were not immediately provided.

There was bipartisan condemnation in the U.S. capital.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” U.S. President Donald Trump said in a statement on Truth Social. “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!”

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the act “seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog echoed those comments.

“I am devastated by the scenes in Washington,” Herzog said. “This is a despicable act of hatred, of antisemitism.”

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser assured the public there was no ongoing threat and condemned the incident.

Sa’ar cast the attack as an outcome of what he deemed unfair condemnation of Israel’s war tactics by foreign leaders and media reports. Such criticism has surged after UN warnings that an aid blockade is bringing Gazans to the brink of famine.

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