US man who shot dead Israeli embassy workers shouted ‘Free Palestine' in custody
The assailant, who shot dead two Israeli embassy workers in Washington DC, on Wednesday night (May 21), has been identified as Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, Illinois.
The 30-year-old shooter opened fire at a group of four with a handgun, outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, killing a man and a woman.
Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said that Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting.
He shouted 'Free Palestine, Free Palestine,' after being taken into custody, she said.
'After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was detained by event security,' Smith said. 'Once in handcuffs, the suspect identified where he discarded the weapon, and that weapon has been recovered, and he implied that he committed the offense.'
She said the suspect had no previous contact with the police.
Israeli Embassy staff killed were 'a young couple' planning to get engaged next week
The two Israeli embassy staff members, who were shot dead on Wednesday (May 21), were a 'young couple about to be engaged,' said Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States.
Leiter said that the victim had bought a ring earlier this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend.
'The couple that was gunned down tonight in the name of 'Free Palestine' was a young couple about to be engaged. A young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem. They were a beautiful couple,' Leiter said.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were shot 'at close range' and succumbed to their injuries 'despite all life-saving efforts' as they were exiting an event at the museum.
The Israeli Embassy in the US said in a post, 'Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives. This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.'
Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues. They were in the prime of their lives.
This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.
The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words… pic.twitter.com/2HytKDp8Fr
— Embassy of Israel to the USA (@IsraelinUSA) May 22, 2025
'The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time,' it added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
26 minutes ago
- First Post
'A disgrace, outrageous': Macron hits out at Israel for Gaza blockade of aid
Macron has strongly criticised Israel's blockade of Gaza, calling it 'a disgrace' and 'outrageous', while urging an immediate ceasefire and the release of detained activists, including Greta Thunberg. read more French President Emmanuel Macron called Israel's blockade of Gaza and its obstruction of humanitarian aid 'outrageous', renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all detainees, and the reopening of border crossings. France was 'vigilant' and 'stands by all its nationals when they are in danger,' Macron said. The French government also asked Israel to ensure the activists' protection. He further described the humanitarian blockade of Gaza as 'a scandal' and 'a disgrace' . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His remarks followed the Israeli navy's interception of the aid ship Madelene from the Freedom Flotilla in international waters on Monday. The vessel, headed to Gaza, was carrying six French citizens among its activists. Macron said France is closely monitoring the situation, has taken steps to ensure its citizens' safety, and has urged Israel to secure their swift return. Israel's foreign ministry earlier stated that 'all the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed', and said it expected the activists to return to their home countries soon. Macron also urged Israel to promptly release all 12 activists on board, including Greta Thunberg – a move that triggered protests in several European cities. The Madelene was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday while en route to Gaza. Tens of thousands joined demonstrations in reaction to the seizure. In France, rallies were held in Paris and at least five other cities, organised by left-wing parties. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI), called the action 'international piracy'. In Switzerland, protesters blocked train stations in Geneva and Lausanne. Around 300 people waving Palestinian flags occupied platforms at Geneva's main station for about an hour, causing delays and cancellations. Police later dispersed a similar protest in Lausanne. Macron's office confirmed he had demanded the immediate release of the six French nationals on board and their safe return to France. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Later on Monday, Israeli forces escorted the Madelene to Ashdod Port, several hours after it was intercepted. An AFP photographer confirmed the ship's arrival around 8:45 pm local time, accompanied by two Israeli navy vessels. The current status of the activists remains unclear. With inputs from AFP
Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump must tell Netanyahu 'enough is enough': Ex-Israeli PM Olmert
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Doable and valid' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Get rid of both' US President Donald Trump should tell Israel 's leader Benjamin Netanyahu "enough is enough", a former Israeli prime minister told AFP, denouncing the continuation of the war in Gaza as a "crime" and insisting a two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict. Ehud Olmert , prime minister between 2006-2009, said in an interview in Paris that the United States has more influence on the Israeli government "than all the other powers put together" and that Trump can "make a difference".He said Netanyahu "failed completely" as a leader by not preventing the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas that sparked the said while the international community accepted Israel's right to self-defence after October 7, this changed when Netanyahu spurned chances to end the war in March and instead ramped up "has his personal interests which are prioritised over what may be the national interests," Olmert say Netanyahu fears that if he halts the war, hardline members of his coalition will walk out, collapsing the government and forcing elections he could lose."If there is a war which is not going to save hostages, which cannot really eradicate more of what they did already against Hamas and if, as a result of this, soldiers are getting killed, hostages maybe get killed and innocent Palestinians are killed, then to my mind this is a crime," said Olmert."And this is something that should be condemned and not accepted," he should summon Netanyahu to the White House Oval Office and facing cameras, tell the Israeli leader: "'Bibi: enough is enough'", Olmert said, using the premier's nickname."This is it. I hope he (Trump) will do it. There is nothing that cannot happen with Trump. I don't know if this will happen. We have to hope and we have to encourage him," said occasional expressions of concern about the situation in Gaza, the US remains Israel's key ally, using its veto at the UN Security Council and approving billions of dollars in arms unprecedented attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official abducted 251 hostages, 54 of whom remain in Gaza, including 32 the Israeli military says are retaliatory offensive has killed 54,880 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza health ministry, figures the United Nations deems with former Palestinian foreign minister Nasser Al-Qidwa, Olmert is promoting a plan to end decades of conflict between Israel and the Palestinians to create a Palestinian state alongside a secure sides would swap 4.4 percent of each other's land to the other, according to the plan, with Israel receiving some West Bank territory occupied by Israeli settlers and a future Palestinian state territory that is currently part of of a meeting this month in New York co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia on steps towards recognising a Palestinian state, Olmert said that such a plan is "practical, is doable, is relevant, is valid and is real."Olmert spent over a year in prison from 2016-2017 after being convicted in corruption scandals that ended his political career and efforts to forge peace.A longtime political rival of Netanyahu even though they both emerged from the same Likud right-wing party, he also faces an uphill struggle to convince Israeli society where support for a Palestinian state, let alone land swaps, is at a low ebb after October 7."It requires a leadership on both sides," said Olmert. "We are trying to raise international awareness and the awareness of our own societies that this is not something lost but offers a future of hope."Al-Qidwa, who is due to promote the plan alongside Olmert at a conference organised by the Jean-Jaures Foundation think tank in Paris on Tuesday, told AFP the blueprint was the "only game in town and the only doable solution".But he said societies in Israel and the Palestinian territories still had to be convinced, partly due to the continuation of the war."The moment the war comes to an end we will see a different kind of thinking. We have to go forward with acceptance of the co-existence of the two sides."But he added there could be no hope of "serious progress with the current Israeli government and current Palestinian leadership" under the ageing president Mahmud Abbas, in office now for two decades."You have to get rid of both. And that is going to happen," he said, labelling the Palestinian leadership as "corrupt and inept".
Hindustan Times
34 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Pep Guardiola's powerful speech on Gaza during doctorate acceptance speech: 'It is so painful, hurts all my body'
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was conferred with an honorary degree by the University of Manchester. He was given this honour because of his contribution to the city both on and off the pitch. The ceremony was held at the historic Whitworth Hall. The university's chancellor, Nazir Afzal, presented him with the honorary doctorate. During his acceptance speech, Guardiola stood up for Gaza amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. While standing for Gaza and its people, the Manchester City manager said it pains him to see what has been unfolding in the region for the past year or so. "It's so painful what we see in Gaza. It hurts my whole body. And let me be clear, it's not about ideology. It's not about whether I'm right, or you're wrong. Come on. It's just about the love of life, about the care of your neighbour. Maybe we think that we see the boys and girls of four years old being killed by the bomb or being killed at the hospital because it's not a hospital anymore. It's not our business." "We can think about that. It's not our business. But be careful. The next one will be ours. The next four or five years old kids will be ours. Sorry, but I see my kids when I wake up every morning since the nightmare started with the infants in Gaza. And I'm so scared. Maybe this image feels far away from where we are living now. And you might ask what we can do," he added. The entire matter between Israel and Hamas reached a boiling point when the latter attacked Israel in October 2023, killing about 1200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to the BBC. This resulted in Israel going on the offensive in Gaza. In January 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed on a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. Guardiola also spoke on the importance of standing up for what's right and not taking the backseat, thinking about what might happen if one speaks up. "There is a story I'm reminded of. A forest is on fire. All the animals live, terrified, helpless, helpless. But the small bird flies back and forth, back and forth to the sea, back and forth, carrying drops of water in this little beak. The snake laughs and asks, why, bro? You will never put the fire out. The bird replies, yes, I know it. Then, why do you do it again and again? The snake asks once again. I'm just doing my part. The bird replies for the last time," said Guardiola. "That is, the bird knows it doesn't stop the fire, but it refuses to do nothing. In a world that often tells us we are too small to make a difference, that story reminds me the power of one is not about the scale. It's about choice. About showing up, about refusing to be silent, or still when it matters most," he added. In March 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on the Gaza Strip, which basically ended the 2025 war ceasefire. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 400 Palestinians were killed. A day after, the Israeli Military announced that it conducted a ground offensive to retake the Netzarim Corridor, from which it had withdrawn in February. On June 9, US President Donald Trump said that Iran is involved in the ongoing negotiations, which aim at arranging a ceasefire for the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas.
