DC Shooting Kills Two Israeli Embassy Staff Members

Two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a couple, were shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Wednesday night. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, is in custody and shouted "free Palestine" during his arrest. The FBI is investigating whether the attack was linked to terrorism or a hate crime. Israeli officials have condemned the attack, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar blaming "toxic antisemetic incitement" and "incitement" by European countries. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also condemned the attack, with Netanyahu promising increased security at Israeli embassies worldwide.

A 30-year-old man, Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, has been charged with first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, and related firearm charges after shooting and killing two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC. The suspect, who had flown in from Chicago for a work conference, was arrested at the scene and admitted to the attack. He is believed to have acted alone and had shouted "free Palestine" before being taken into custody. The attack is being investigated as a hate crime, and prosecutors are considering seeking the death penalty. The victims were attending an event focused on building a coalition to help people suffering in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Rodriguez had a history of involvement in the pro-Palestinian protest movement and had written about his criticism of US policy and Israel's actions in Gaza.

Several nations condemned Israel after its troops fired "warning shots" at a group of visiting diplomats in the occupied West Bank near the city of Jenin. The diplomatic delegation, which included representatives from over 20 countries, had strayed from their approved route and entered a restricted zone, prompting Israeli troops to fire shots to steer them away. The incident sparked widespread outrage, with countries such as Canada, France, Germany, and Turkey demanding an investigation and accountability. The UN Secretary-General's spokesman called the incident "unacceptable," saying diplomats should never be shot at or attacked. The Israeli military expressed regret for the "inconvenience caused." The incident comes amid rising tensions over Israel's military offensive in Gaza and the West Bank, with many countries criticizing Israel's actions and calling for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Two Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were fatally shot outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The couple, who were about to get engaged, worked at the Israeli Embassy and were described as being "in the prime of their lives." Lischinsky, an Israeli and German dual national, had planned to propose to Milgrim during a trip to Israel. The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old from Chicago, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Rodriguez shouted "Free Palestine" during his arrest and while in custody, and discarded the weapon used in the shooting, but later told police where it was. The shooting is being investigated by the D.C. police department and the FBI.

World leaders, including US President Trump, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned the shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C., calling it an antisemitic attack. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar blamed the attack on "antisemitic incitement" from other countries, especially in Europe, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the "blood libels against the Jewish state cost in blood." The victims, Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were identified as a young couple who worked at the Israeli Embassy. The suspect, a Chicago man, shouted "free, free Palestine" upon being taken into custody. France's foreign ministry rejected Sa'ar's implication that European nations bear blame for the attack.

A DC couple, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were Israeli embassy staff members and soon to be engaged, were killed in a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The suspect, who yelled "Free, free Palestine!" after the attack, was apprehended by security officers. The incident is part of a long history of assaults on Israeli targets worldwide, with at least 31 terror attacks on Israeli embassies and diplomatic staff since 1969, including bombings, shootings, and hostage-taking incidents in various countries.

The suspect in the shooting of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington DC, Elias Rodriguez, allegedly fired repeatedly at the victims after they fell to the ground. The FBI released a charging document detailing surveillance footage of the incident, which showed Rodriguez shooting Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky in the back before leaning over and firing multiple times. Rodriguez, 31, from Chicago, has been charged with murder and faces life in prison or the death penalty if found guilty. He reportedly shouted "free Palestine" during his arrest and told police "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza." The incident is being investigated as a hate crime and terrorism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has blamed UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for fuelling antisemitism after a shooting at a Jewish museum in Washington DC killed two Israeli embassy workers. Netanyahu linked the criticism of Israel's military operations in Gaza to the shooting, saying that leaders criticizing Israel are "on the wrong side of humanity and history". The shooter, Elias Rodriguez, shouted "free, free Palestine" during his arrest. Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar also blamed antisemitic incitement for the shooting, while Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli accused the three leaders of emboldening forces of terror, though Israeli diplomats later distanced themselves from Chikli's comments. The leaders of the UK and France have since condemned the shooting and antisemitism.

A gunman shot and killed two junior aides near the Israeli embassy in Washington DC, prompting concerns over diplomatic security arrangements. The victims, a couple, were due to become engaged and travel to Jerusalem. The suspect was detained and reportedly shouted "free Palestine". The Trump administration is expected to condemn any glorification of the attack online, drawing parallels with a previous incident involving Luigi Mangione.

A gunman, Elias Rodriguez, associated with the far-left Party for Socialism and Liberation, killed two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, outside a Washington DC Jewish museum event, shouting "Free, free Palestine." The author argues that anti-Israel propaganda and radical left media incited the attack by spreading lies about Israel's actions in Gaza, which were then believed by Rodriguez and others, including students at Columbia University who chanted similar slogans. The author claims that such rhetoric, often backed by Iran and Qatar, has been allowed to escalate in the US, leading to increased anti-Jewish and anti-Israel activism.

A far-left anti-Israel group in the Bronx, known as the Bronx Anti-War Coalition, praised Elias Rodriguez, the suspect accused of fatally shooting two Israeli Embassy staffers outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., calling his actions "the highest expression of anti-Zionism" and stating "We need more Elias Rodriguez in this world." The group's statements were met with criticism from Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres, who condemned their support for violence against Jews. Rodriguez, 31, allegedly fired nearly two dozen shots at the victims, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were engaged to be married.

Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Chicago native and son of an Iraq War veteran, is accused of killing two Israeli diplomats, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. Rodriguez, who has ties to the radical left-wing group Party for Socialism and Liberation, shouted "free, free Palestine" after the shooting. Prosecutors say his antisemitism grew out of his association with US left-wing politics. Rodriguez fired his 9mm pistol 21 times, reloading and continuing to shoot as one of the victims tried to crawl away. He then dropped the weapon, ran into the museum, and was comforted by witnesses who were unaware he was the shooter. Upon being arrested, Rodriguez produced a keffiyeh scarf and boasted, "I did this. I did this for Gaza." A GoFundMe page from 2017 suggests Rodriguez was self-radicalized through his involvement in far-left politics, including protests and socialist causes. Police are investigating whether he wrote an anti-Israel manifesto before the shooting. Rodriguez has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Two Israeli embassy staffers were brutally shot to death in Washington, DC, after attending an event promoting understanding and reconciliation among rising diplomats. The alleged assailant is affiliated with a radical socialist group that has endorsed violent anti-Israel protests. The author, who helped start the event nearly 20 years ago, warns that the deadly attack is a consequence of an ideological framework that categorizes people into oppressors and oppressed, and that this ideology is spreading through elite American campuses, social media, and classrooms, desensitizing students to Jewish suffering and normalizing antisemitic hate. The author calls for rooting out this ideology in educational institutions, civic discourse, and activist spaces to prevent further violence.

A shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. killed two Israeli Embassy employees, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, sparking widespread shock and grief in the local Jewish community. The FBI described the killings as "targeted anti-Semitic violence" and an act of terror. The victims were a couple about to be engaged, and many in the community knew them or attended the same events. Leaders expressed outrage and sadness, calling the attack a "nightmare that we've all been afraid of." The community came together to pay respects, holding vigils and leaving flowers and notes. The incident has heightened concerns about antisemitism and security, with organizations already on high alert and calling for increased government funding for security measures.

The suspect accused of killing two Israeli embassy staffers, Elias Rodriguez, has a history of political activism, including denouncing corporate power, US military actions, and police abuses. In a 2017 GoFundMe page, Rodriguez described how his father's deployment to Iraq sparked his political awakening. Authorities are investigating a letter posted to X, apparently signed by Rodriguez, advocating for violent retaliation over the war in Gaza and referencing "armed action" as a valid form of protest. The letter expressed outrage over Israeli actions in Gaza and stated that such actions were "the only sane thing to do." Rodriguez yelled "Free, free Palestine" as he was detained by police. He told police he was inspired by a US airman who died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC. Rodriguez had previously allied with leftist groups in the Chicago area, but the groups have disavowed any connection to him or support for the shooting.

Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old Chicago resident, has been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes in the killing of two Israeli Embassy aides outside a Jewish museum in Washington. Rodriguez led a seemingly ordinary life as a college-educated young professional in Chicago, but was increasingly active in left-wing politics, posting on social media and joining demonstrations in opposition to Israel's war in Gaza. After his arrest, Rodriguez told police, "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza." Rodriguez graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago and worked various jobs, including as a writer and researcher. He was affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation from 2017 but the group disavowed any connection to him, stating his association ended in 2017. Rodriguez's social media posts condemned the Israeli and American governments and justified "armed action." He had no prior criminal record and had donated to Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (referred to as Mark Carney, though this appears to be an error as Mark Carney is a former governor of the Bank of England and not the current Canadian Prime Minister) of siding with Hamas. Netanyahu claimed they were on "the wrong side of history" and "the wrong side of justice" by not fully supporting Israel's military operation in Gaza. The UK, France, and Canada had condemned Israel's expanded military operation and threatened action if it didn't stop, prompting Netanyahu's response. Downing Street declined to comment directly but referenced Starmer's previous condemnation of an attack on Israeli embassy staff in Washington. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 53,000 killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military campaign in response to Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023.

Israel's Foreign Ministry has fired back at the UK for suspending free trade talks and imposing new sanctions on the West Bank, claiming that the negotiations were already stalled and that the UK's actions are driven by an "anti-Israel obsession." The UK's decision was made in response to Israel's handling of the war in Gaza, including its recent military operation, Operation Gideon’s Chariot. Israel's Foreign Ministry also condemned the UK's criticism, stating that "external pressure will not divert Israel from its path in defending its existence and security."

Bono has called for Israel to be "released from Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right fundamentalists" during an awards ceremony in London, marking the first time he has publicly spoken out against the Israeli prime minister since the war in Gaza started in October 2023. He also urged Hamas to release its remaining Israeli hostages and for the war to be stopped, while criticizing the impact of the conflict on aid workers.

Israeli strikes killed at least 82 people in Gaza, including women and a week-old infant, as international pressure mounted over Israel's widening offensive. Humanitarian aid has been stalled, with dozens of trucks allowed into Gaza but aid not yet reaching Palestinians in desperate need due to Israeli military actions and logistical issues. The UN and other organizations have warned of a high risk of famine among Gaza's 2 million residents, with many struggling to access basic necessities like food and bread. The international community has condemned Israel's actions, with the UK suspending free trade talks and the EU reviewing its trade ties with Israel.

The UN has reported that over 90 lorry loads of humanitarian aid have been collected inside Gaza after a three-day delay at the Kerem Shalom crossing. The aid, including flour, baby food, and medical equipment, was taken to warehouses for distribution. However, the UN stated that the aid was "nowhere near enough to meet the vast needs in Gaza." Humanitarian organizations have warned of acute hunger among Gaza's 2.1 million population, with half a million people facing starvation in the coming months. Israel has allowed some aid into Gaza but has been criticized for not doing enough, with the UN saying that 500 lorries entered the territory daily before the war. The Israeli military has continued its offensive, with at least 107 people killed in the previous 24 hours, and has issued evacuation orders for several northern neighborhoods.

Israel's military has encircled two of the last functioning hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip, the Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital, according to staff and aid groups. The World Health Organization has warned that the activity is "stretching the health system beyond the breaking point." Israeli drones have been hovering around the hospitals, and in some cases, firing at them, with reports of damage to the facilities and ambulances. The hospitals are within an evacuation zone ordered by Israel, although the facilities themselves have not been ordered to evacuate. The development comes as Israel's military says it is entering a new phase of operations in Gaza to defeat Hamas.