Two Israeli embassy staff shot dead in Washington

by Mick the Ram

Two Israeli embassy staff have been shot dead when leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museumin Washington DC, in what has been described as a “despicable act of antisemitism”.

Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram were approached by the suspect – a man since named as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago – and gunned down outside the building.

The gunman was heard to shout “free, free Palestine”  as he was arrested and taken into custody.

Israeli ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, confirmed the two victims names and that they were a couple, telling how heartbreakingly, Mr Lischinsky had purchased a ring only this week with his intention to propose to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.

The killings have been met with horror and vilification by US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Isaac Herzog, the country’s President.

Ironically, the event at the museum was focused on the humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, with an emphasis on aiding those suffering in Gaza.

Innocents gunned down

It was at just after 9pm on Wednesday 21 May when police received their first call on the incident unfolding in downtown Washington DC.

When they arrived they found the two young people unconscious and not breathing at the scene, and sadly they were pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Witnesses reported that a man had been seen “pacing back and forth” outside of the museum – which is steps away from the FBI’s field office on 3rd Street NW, along with other government buildings and numerous tourist sites.  

He then seemingly approached a group of four people and produced a handgun, at which point he shot both victims at point blank range.

“Killer” unknown to police

Pamela Smith, the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who are leading an investigation, said that immediately after the killings he walked back inside the museum and was detained by event security, who also retrieved the firearm.

He was not apparently on any security watchlists and there were no heightened security threats before the shooting.

“We have not had any prior interactions with the suspect and we don’t see anything in his background that would have placed him on our radar,” she said; before confirming that the department’s terrorism task force will now work very closely with the FBI to do “a deep dive into his background”.

Confusion in aftermath

Jojo Kalin, who was the event organiser, explained how she actually gave the shooter some waterbecause he appeared distressed, due to her initial belief that he had been an innocent bystander and was in shock.

She said he then whipped out a red Jordanian keffiyeh and yelled “free Palestine”.

Trump’s message

US President, Donald Trump took to social media to post: “These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!”

He went on to stress: “hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA”, before sending his condolences to the families of the victims.

Defiance from ambassador

The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, described the shooting as “a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism”.

Continuing, he defiantly stated: “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives, everywhere in the world.”

Security stepped up

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s PM straight away made a commitment for security to be increased for Israeli representatives at diplomatic missions worldwide.

Turning his focus to the two who were killed, he said: “My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were cut short by a heinous antisemitic murderer; we are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against the state of Israel.”

President “devastated”

The scenes were described as “devastating” by Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel. He called it a “despicable act of hatred” and sent his full support to the Ambassador and all the embassy staff.

Mr Herzog then reiterated: “We stand with the Jewish community in DC and across the US; terror and hate will not break us.”

Touching tribute

In a touching tribute from Israel’s US embassy they spoke of how the murders of their colleagues had left them heartbroken: “Yaron and Sarah were in the prime of their lives and this evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.

“No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss and our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”

Advocate of peace

Mr Lischinsky, a 28-year-old who worked in the political department of the embassy had a master’s degree in government, diplomacy & strategy from Reichman University and a bachelor’s in international relations from Hebrew University.

He was very open about his belief that “expanding the circle of peace and pursuing regional cooperation with Israel’s Arab neighbours” was in the best interest of the state and the Middle East as a whole. He wrote: “I advocate for interfaith dialogue and intercultural understanding.”