Capital Jewish Museum shooting: Who were Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim?
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two young diplomats working for the Israeli Embassy in Washington D.C., were tragically shot dead outside the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night.
The couple, described by colleagues as 'in the prime of their lives,' were reportedly about to travel to Jerusalem next week to get engaged. The shooter, identified as Elias Rodriguez, allegedly shouted 'Free Palestine' after carrying out the attack. Both victims were respected embassy staff members deeply committed to promoting peace and diplomacy, and their deaths have sparked widespread grief in diplomatic and Jewish communities around the world.
Who was Yaron Lischinsky?
Yaron Lischinsky, 28, worked in the Israeli embassy's political department as a research assistant focused on Middle East and North African affairs. A native of Jerusalem, he moved to Washington D.C. in September 2022. Friends and colleagues described him as highly intelligent, inspiring, and a dedicated advocate for interfaith dialogue and the Abraham Accords. His academic background and political work positioned him as a promising young figure in international diplomacy.
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Who was Sarah Milgrim?
Sarah Milgrim was a Jewish American diplomat working in the embassy's public diplomacy department. She relocated to Washington in November 2023 from Tel Aviv. Milgrim held master's degrees in international studies from American University and in natural resources and sustainable development from the United Nations University of Peace. She previously worked with Tech2Peace, an Israeli organization focused on building dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians.
On her LinkedIn, she described her passion for peacebuilding, religious engagement, and environmental advocacy.
What happened on the Wednesday night outside a diplomatic event?
The shooting occurred as Lischinsky and Milgrim were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum. The event was a Young Diplomats Reception aimed at bringing together Jewish professionals between the ages of 22 and 45. As the couple exited the venue, gunfire erupted, fatally striking both of them.
Law enforcement quickly responded to the scene, and the suspect, Elias Rodriguez, was taken into custody shortly after.
A couple with a future cut short
Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, confirmed in a press conference that the couple were planning to get engaged during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem. 'The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week,' he said. The Israeli embassy added in a statement, 'Yaron and Sarah were our friends and colleagues.
They were in the prime of their lives. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss.
'
A fanatic act of violence
Eyewitnesses reported that Rodriguez, the alleged shooter, shouted 'Free Palestine' during the attack. While investigations continue, the motive appears politically charged. Authorities are treating the case as a potential act of hate or terrorism. The shooting has intensified concerns about rising antisemitism and politically motivated violence in the United States.
Mourning and tribute from Israel and abroad
Israeli President Isaac Herzog referred to the slain couple as 'flowers of our people who were plucked just before they were supposed to get engaged and build a life together.' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar added that Lischinsky was a 'warrior on our diplomatic front that fell just like a soldier in the battlefield.' The entire Israeli embassy staff expressed devastation at the loss, with many describing the couple as vibrant, passionate, and beloved by their peers.
Tal Naim, an embassy spokesperson and close friend of the victims, said she had shared laughs with Lischinsky and Milgrim just hours before the shooting. 'Instead of walking you down the aisle, we are walking with you to your graves,' she said in a heartfelt statement. 'What an unbearable loss.'
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