‘Free Palestine’ Activist Kills Israeli Couple in Washington
Washington — Two Israeli embassy staff members were shot dead by a ‘Free Palestine’ activist outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, in an attack that is being investigated as a potential hate crime by U.S. federal authorities.
The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, both in their 30s, were described by colleagues as a young couple “in the prime of their lives.” They were attending a high-profile networking event hosted by the American Jewish Committee that aimed to connect young Jewish professionals with the diplomatic community, including aid workers engaged in humanitarian relief across the Middle East, including Gaza.
The shooting occurred around 9:08 p.m. local time as the couple exited the museum. According to police, the attacker approached a group of four individuals and fired at close range, killing two. The suspect was later identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old resident of Chicago.
Who Is Elias Rodriguez?
Elias Rodriguez is known for his political activism and ties to left-wing protest movements. He has been associated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, according to media reports.
In 2017, Rodriguez took part in a protest outside the residence of then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The demonstration — organized by groups including ANSWER Chicago, Black Lives Matter Women of Faith, and the People’s Congress of Resistance — marked the anniversary of Laquan McDonald’s murder by a Chicago police officer. During the rally, Rodriguez argued that systemic racism, economic inequality, and the city’s bid for an Amazon headquarters were interconnected injustices.
Laquan McDonald, a 17-year-old Black teenager, was fatally shot 16 times by officer Jason Van Dyke in a case that triggered nationwide outrage and became a defining moment in the U.S. police accountability movement.
The DC Shooting
Witnesses say Rodriguez was seen “pacing back and forth” outside the Capital Jewish Museum before the attack. After firing at the group, he reportedly entered the museum, initially claiming to be a victim and asking others to call the police.
When officers arrived, Rodriguez surrendered without resistance, raised his hands, and reportedly stated, “I did this.” He then pulled out a red keffiyeh — a traditional Middle Eastern scarf — and began chanting “Free Palestine” as he was detained by law enforcement. He continued chanting even while being removed from the premises. Later, Rodriguez led authorities to the location where he had discarded his weapon.
The FBI said it is examining whether the incident was driven by bias, ideology, or other extremist motivations.
Official Reactions and Global Outcry
President Donald Trump condemned the murders as “obviously based on antisemitism,” urging an end to hate-fueled violence in the U.S. Writing on Truth Social, he said, “These horrible D.C. killings must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed outrage, describing the attack as a “heinous antisemitic murder.” He announced increased security at Israeli embassies worldwide and said, “My heart aches for the families of the beloved young man and woman, whose lives were cut short.”
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, revealed that Lischinsky had planned to propose to Milgrim next week. “They were a beautiful couple with a future ahead of them,” he said in a press briefing.
Rising Security Concerns at Jewish Institutions
The Capital Jewish Museum, like many Jewish institutions across the United States, has been on high alert amid rising antisemitism. Executive Director Beatrice Gurwitz told NBC News — in an interview conducted before the attack — that the museum had recently received a security grant, in part due to the opening of a new exhibit on LGBTQ+ pride.
“Jewish institutions all around the country are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents and a climate of antisemitism,” she said.
Israeli embassy spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen confirmed that the two victims were shot at close range and expressed confidence that U.S. authorities would “ensure the safety of Israeli representatives and Jewish communities across America.”
JoJo Kalin, a board member of the American Jewish Committee and co-organizer of the event, said she was devastated but resolute. “This is tragic. But I will not lose my humanity or be deterred. Both Israelis and Palestinians deserve peace and dignity — and tragically, that was exactly what we were discussing when this violence unfolded.”
The investigation remains ongoing, with federal hate crime charges expected in the coming days.
