Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night in a shocking attack that has drawn widespread condemnation from international leaders, including the United Nations.
The victims, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were leaving a reception at the Capital Jewish Museum when they were gunned down.
The event, hosted by the American Jewish Committee, had focused on humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza. Lischinsky worked as a research assistant in the political department at the Israeli Embassy, while Milgrim coordinated travel programs. The two were reportedly planning to get engaged.
The gunman, identified as Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, was apprehended shortly after the attack. Reports indicate that he shouted pro-Palestinian slogans while in custody, raising questions about the motive behind the killings. Authorities have not yet released full details of the investigation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the killings “horrific” and reiterated that there is no excuse for violence against diplomatic personnel. His office issued a statement on Thursday, calling for justice and expressing condolences to the families of the victims and the Israeli government.
Miguel Ángel Moratinos, head of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, also condemned the attack, describing it as a hateful and antisemitic act. He offered sympathy to the grieving families and to Israel.
The murders come at a time of heightened global tension surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict, which escalated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel. That attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people, with another 250 taken hostage. Israel’s response in Gaza has since caused over 53,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health authorities.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said the attack in Washington is part of a broader wave of antisemitic hate that has intensified worldwide since the start of the war. He linked the killings to what he described as inflammatory rhetoric targeting Jewish communities and Israel.
In a public message, Tal Naim, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, called the loss “unbearable.” She shared a photo of the young couple online, noting that instead of celebrating their upcoming engagement, friends and family are now mourning at their graves.
Global political figures have joined in expressing their outrage, calling for urgent action to prevent future violence against diplomats. As investigations continue, the attack has sparked renewed concern over the safety of diplomatic staff and rising antisemitism worldwide.