By: Fern Sidman

In a chilling act of violence that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and Jewish communities alike, two Israeli Embassy aides—a man and a woman—were shot and killed on Wednesday evening just steps from the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The attack occurred shortly after the pair had attended a high-profile event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), drawing immediate and widespread condemnation from American and Israeli leaders.

Yaron Lischinsky, a 30-year-old staffer at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., was one of two Israeli victims shot and killed. As reported by World Israel News, Lischinsky was gunned down alongside his girlfriend, who also worked at the Israeli Embassy.

According to World Israel News, Yaron Lischinsky was a rising figure within Israel’s Foreign Ministry. Originally from Germany, Lischinsky immigrated to Israel at the age of 16, embracing his Jewish identity and committing himself to public service. At the time of his death, he was serving as a research assistant in the Middle East and North Africa Affairs division at the Israeli Embassy in Washington.

Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, who spoke to the press following the incident, revealed that Lischinsky and his girlfriend had been planning to get engaged—a future that was tragically cut short. “They were both deeply committed to their work and to each other,” Leiter said. “This is a devastating loss, not just for the Israeli Foreign Ministry but for everyone who knew them.”

According to sources, the alleged gunman has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Citing law enforcement sources, it was reported that Rodriguez opened fire on the two Israeli diplomats shortly after the AJC’s Young Diplomats Reception had concluded.

In a harrowing account shared by Jewish Insider’s Josh Kraushaar, a witness described the aftermath: “After the shooting a guy came inside saying he saw it and needed water and a safe space, then whipped out a keffiyeh and yelled ‘Free Palestine’ a bunch before being escorted out by police.” Kraushaar also reported that the assailant shouted “Free, free Palestine” while firing at the victims.

The AJC event—an annual Young Diplomats Reception—was being held at the museum by the organization’s DC Young Professional Board. Ted Deutch, AJC’s Chief Executive, confirmed his organization hosted the event and called the attack “unspeakable.” In an official statement, he expressed deep sorrow and emphasized that AJC’s focus is “solely on supporting the families and loved ones of the victims.”

ABC News confirmed that the victims were Israeli Embassy staffers and reported that the shooting unfolded just outside the museum, located in the city’s Northwest quadrant—only blocks from the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

The FBI Washington Field Office quickly posted a social media update stating it was working closely with the Washington Metropolitan Police Department on the case. The agency added that there was “no ongoing threat to public safety,” a reassurance aimed at a community already on edge due to escalating anti-Semitic incidents nationwide.

The shooting reportedly occurred around 9:15 p.m. near the intersection of 3rd and F streets NW, in front of the museum, and just behind the FBI’s Washington Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, according to information provided in a report on The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS).

U.S. embassy spokesperson Tal Naim Cohen wrote on X that the victims—a man and a woman—were shot “at close range.”

“We have full faith in law-enforcement authorities on both the local and federal levels to apprehend the shooter and protect Israel’s representatives and Jewish communities throughout the United States,” said Cohen, as was reported by JNS.

The Israeli Embassy, which is collaborating fully with law enforcement, told CNN that the Israeli ambassador was not present at the event and was not involved in the shooting.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, in comments quoted by The New York Times, called the killings “senseless” and pledged that her department was “actively investigating and working to get more information to share.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was reportedly on the scene alongside interim U.S. Attorney for Washington Jeanine Pirro, echoed Noem’s sentiments, stating via social media, “Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more,” as reported by The New York Times.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio tweeted his condemnation “in the strongest possible terms” of the shooting that killed two Israeli Embassy staff members. “Our prayers are with their loved ones,” he said. “This was a brazen act of cowardly, anti-Semitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”

President Trump issued a powerful statement on social media, calling the murders “obviously based on anti-Semitism” and demanded an immediate end to such violence. “Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA,” Trump wrote. “Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon described the attack as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,” according to The Associated Press. “Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line,” he posted on X. “We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world.”

JNS also reported that Israeli President Isaac Herzog posted to X: “I am devastated by the scenes in Washington D.C. This is a despicable act of hatred, of anti-Semitism, which has claimed the lives of two young employees of the Israeli embassy.

“Our hearts are with the loved ones of those murdered and our immediate prayers are with the injured,” he continued. “I send my full support to the ambassador and all the embassy staff. We stand with the Jewish community in D.C and across the U.S.

“America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us,” Herzog added.

World Israel News reported that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned the shooting as a terrorist attack, declaring that “Israel will not surrender to terror.”

Sa’ar added, “Horrified by this morning’s terrorist attack, in which two of our Embassy staff in Washington D.C. were murdered. Israeli representatives around the world are constantly exposed to heightened risk – especially in these times. We are in close contact with American authorities. Israel will not surrender to terror.”

Although authorities have yet to confirm the motive officially, the circumstances—a shooting outside a Jewish institution during a Jewish organizational event—strongly suggest a targeted, anti-Semitic act. The alleged shooter’s “Free Palestine” rallying cry, along with his dramatic donning of a keffiyeh and anti-Israel slogans, has led many to conclude that the killings were politically and ideologically motivated.

Some commentators have noted the troubling parallels between the suspect’s behavior and chants regularly heard at recent anti-Israel demonstrations. Calls to “globalize the intifada”—a phrase widely used by pro-Hamas and anti-Zionist activists—have been increasingly echoed in protests across American cities. Wednesday’s attack may tragically represent the real-world consequences of such rhetoric.

Longtime Jewish activist, prolific author and lecturer, Phyllis Chesler told The Jewish Voice, “I began calling for an Iron Dome against the propaganda 15 years ago knowing that it would lead to this & many more such assassinations.”

The possibility that this was a calculated act of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish violence is raising urgent questions about security for Jewish institutions and foreign diplomats in the United States. It also highlights the expanding reach of anti-Semitic ideology at a time when Jewish communities around the globe are experiencing a disturbing rise in hostility and hate crimes.

The loss of two Israeli diplomatic personnel in the heart of the U.S. capital is not just a diplomatic tragedy—it is a searing indictment of the growing atmosphere of Jew hatred that has found a foothold in American cities. Jewish communities and their allies are demanding swift justice and enhanced security, not only for diplomatic missions but for Jewish institutions across the country.

As federal and local authorities continue to investigate, both the United States and Israel have vowed full cooperation to bring the perpetrator to justice. What remains is a grieving community, a shaken diplomatic corps, and a country grappling once again with the consequences of unchecked hate.