Israeli Couple Murdered in Washington Attack Near Jewish Museum: Yaron Lisinski and Sarah Milgrim

Tragedy struck the Israeli diplomatic community early Thursday morning when two staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, Yaron Lisinski and Sarah Milgrim, were murdered in a shooting attack near the Jewish Museum in the U.S. capital. The two, a couple who were soon to be engaged in Jerusalem, were gunned down as they exited an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

The Israeli Embassy paid tribute to the victims: “They were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives. This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them… The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by the murder.”

A Foreign Ministry directive has since ordered all Israeli missions in the U.S. to suspend public Jewish community events and synagogue gatherings until further notice. In Washington, embassy staff have been instructed to remain in their homes as a security precaution.

Shooter Arrested While Shouting “Free Palestine,” 

The suspected shooter has been identified as Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old Latino man from Chicago. Social media footage shows the moment of his arrest, during which he shouted “Free Palestine” while being handcuffed.

Eyewitness Yoni Kalin told FOX5:

“He ran in, soaking wet, claiming he was a victim. People gave him water. Then, minutes later, he confessed: ‘I did it,’ and pulled a red keffiyeh from his pocket shouting, ‘Liberate Palestine, revolution of the intifada.’”

Another witness, Sarah Martinozzi, told CNN:

“He was acting strange. The guards thought he was traumatized by the shooting. Then he admitted, ‘I did it for Gaza.’”

Close-Range Shooting, Two Killed, Two Injured

According to preliminary investigations, Rodriguez approached a group of four individuals and opened fire at close range, killing Lisinski and Milgrim and seriously injuring two others. One victim died on the scene, while the second died shortly after. The other two remain hospitalized.

Israeli and U.S. Leaders Condemn

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter confirmed the victims’ identities and said the couple was planning to announce their engagement next week in Jerusalem.

“This is an unthinkable loss. We are grieving as a community.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar directly linked the shooting to rising global anti-Semitism:

“This is a direct result of toxic anti-Semitic incitement since the October 7 massacre. Israeli missions are now clear targets for terrorism.”

He announced that Israeli flags would fly at half-mast at the Foreign Ministry and all diplomatic missions globally.

U.S. President Donald Trump offered condolences:

“These horrific murders must stop. Hatred and radicalism have no place in the United States. We grieve with the families of the victims.”

Washington D.C. Police Chief confirmed there is no ongoing threat and that Rodriguez acted alone.

 Experts Warn of Unprecedented Threat Levels

Sasha Roitman, CEO of the Movement to Combat Anti-Semitism, condemned the attack:

“This is an anti-Semitic murder, a terrorist act targeting Jews and Israelis. The writing has been on the wall. Over 40% of documented anti-Semitic incidents in 2024 occurred in the U.S. alone.”

He urged U.S. authorities to take a stronger stance against incitement and anti-Semitic rhetoric, especially on college campuses and online platforms.

“The fight against anti-Semitism is a daily war. Governments must act now to stop this escalating trend.”