Latest news with #AJCACCESSYoungDiplomatsReception
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Woman describes encounter with Jewish Museum shooting suspect
A woman who attended an event Wednesday at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., where two Israeli Embassy staff members were shot and killed outside, said she encountered the alleged shooter after the incident. Katie Kalisher said the event at the museum was wrapping up when she heard gunshots. "Then this man comes in … but he was covered in rain and just looking really distressed and scared," Kalisher said. "We were comforting him because we thought that he was just somebody out in the street looking for a safe place to stay because he heard some gunshots." She was unknowingly speaking with Elias Rodriguez, the suspected shooter. "I'm just trying to relax him, and I asked him, 'So, do you like the museum?' And he's kind of playing dumb with me," she said about the interaction. "He goes, 'Oh, what kind of museum is this?' I told him, 'It's a Jewish museum.' He asked, 'Do you think that's why they did this attack' … referring to the rounds that we heard." Kalisher said at first, she didn't make the connection. "Like of course that probably is what happened. Jews are so often the victims of antisemitic attacks like this. But I was like, 'No, I don't think it is,' but like, 'Are you okay?'" At that moment Rodriguez, 30, claimed he was responsible for the attack, Kalisher said. "He reaches into his bag and pulls out a keffiyeh and says, 'I did it. I did it for Gaza.' And, just starts shouting, 'Free Palestine.'" Police then arrested Rodriguez. "Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence," Dan Bongino, deputy director of the FBI, said in a post on social media. The event, the AJC ACCESS Young Diplomats Reception, was hosted by the American Jewish Committee. "We were having a panel speak about how groups are working together within Gaza to bring aid there so groups that are Israeli, Jewish, Christian, Muslim from all over the world are working together to be able to provide that much-needed humanitarian aid to the people really in need. And unfortunately, that event was ruined by this horrific attack," Kalisher said. Kalisher said it's not the first time she had personal experience of antisemitism herself. "I've been kicked out of gay nightclubs in D.C. for wearing a star of David necklace, and as a lesbian, it's pretty terrible to be ostracized by my own community," she said. "So unfortunately, this is just something that I've seen before and I'll probably see again. Antisemitism in this country is out of control." The Anti-Defamation League recently released its audit of antisemitic attacks in 2024. It recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the U.S. last year, a 5% increase from 2023 and a 344% increase over the past five years. "It is the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago," the ADL said in its audit. What we know about the victims Officials have identified the two victims killed in the attack as a couple named Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. In a post on X, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said, "We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. May their memory be a blessing." The two, who met while living in Jerusalem, were planning to get engaged, according to Yechiel Leiter, Israel's ambassador to the U.S. "No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss," the Israeli Embassy said in a statement on social media. "Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time." Trump confronts South African president during White House meeting, repeats genocide claims Trump takes questions during meeting with South African president Rubio, Jayapal have fiery exchange about Afrikaner refugee's antisemitic tweet, student visas
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Elias Rodriguez? The man who chanted ‘Free Palestine' before shooting two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington DC
Elias Rodriguez , 30, from Chicago, has been named as the suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC . Authorities confirmed Rodriguez had no previous contact with law enforcement. He was detained shortly after the incident on Wednesday evening. The attack occurred outside the museum, near 3rd and F Streets in Northwest Washington—steps away from the FBI's field office and the U.S. Attorney's office. Washington Police Chief Pamela A. Smith stated that the suspect was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting and was quickly taken into custody. 'Free Palestine, Free Palestine,' Rodriguez chanted after his arrest, she confirmed. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. A weapon was recovered at the scene, and while officials are still investigating the motive, the shooting is being treated as a targeted act of violence. Two Israeli embassy staffers shot dead outside museum event The victims, a man and a woman, were staff members of the Israeli Embassy attending a Jewish event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum. The shooting took place shortly after 9 p.m. Live Events Tal Naim Cohen, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, said, 'Two of its staff members were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the museum.' The victims, reportedly a couple, were described by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter as 'a beautiful couple' who were about to be engaged. 'The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,' he said. 'This horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country,' said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. 'We will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city.' What prompted the attack? The event was part of the AJC ACCESS Young Diplomats Reception, designed to connect Jewish young professionals and diplomats. The theme of the evening was 'turning pain into purpose,' with speakers from humanitarian groups focused on the Middle East and North Africa. Police said the suspect approached four individuals leaving the event and shot two of them before walking into the museum, where he was detained by security. Chief Smith said it was still unclear why Rodriguez entered the museum post-attack or what he planned next. The incident happened during a period of heightened global tension following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack in Israel and Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have surged in response, including outside embassies and across U.S. college campuses. How have US leaders reacted? 'This was a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,' said Danny Danon, Israel's Ambassador to the UN. 'Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the U.S. authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.' President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: 'These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed federal support. 'We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,' she posted on X. FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed that federal agents were working closely with Washington police and that the situation posed no ongoing threat. 'Please pray for the victims and their families,' he said. Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro were present at the scene. Bondi said she had spoken to President Trump multiple times that night. 'On behalf of the president, his prayers are with all of us all within the Jewish community,' she told reporters. Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said: 'We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. Our thoughts are solely with the victims and their families.' Senator Chuck Schumer called the shooting 'a sickening act of antisemitism,' while Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued strong condemnations. While the suspect remains in custody, police continue to probe the motivation behind the attack and whether it was a lone act or part of a broader threat. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims. The Israeli Embassy and Jewish organisations have urged the public to remain vigilant but unified. 'We are a resilient people,' said Ambassador Leiter. 'And we will stand strong together.'
Economic Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Who is Elias Rodriguez? The man who chanted ‘Free Palestine' before shooting two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington DC
Reuters A man looks on next to police officers working at the site where, according to the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, two Israeli embassy staff were shot dead near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., U.S. May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, has been named as the suspect in the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, confirmed Rodriguez had no previous contact with law enforcement. He was detained shortly after the incident on Wednesday evening. The attack occurred outside the museum, near 3rd and F Streets in Northwest Washington—steps away from the FBI's field office and the U.S. Attorney's Police Chief Pamela A. Smith stated that the suspect was seen pacing outside the museum before the shooting and was quickly taken into custody. 'Free Palestine, Free Palestine,' Rodriguez chanted after his arrest, she confirmed.A weapon was recovered at the scene, and while officials are still investigating the motive, the shooting is being treated as a targeted act of victims, a man and a woman, were staff members of the Israeli Embassy attending a Jewish event hosted by the American Jewish Committee at the Capital Jewish Museum. The shooting took place shortly after 9 p.m. Tal Naim Cohen, spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, said, 'Two of its staff members were shot at close range while attending a Jewish event at the museum.'The victims, reportedly a couple, were described by Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter as 'a beautiful couple' who were about to be engaged. 'The young man purchased a ring this week with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem,' he said.'This horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people in our city and in our country,' said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser. 'We will not tolerate this violence or hate in our city.'The event was part of the AJC ACCESS Young Diplomats Reception, designed to connect Jewish young professionals and diplomats. The theme of the evening was 'turning pain into purpose,' with speakers from humanitarian groups focused on the Middle East and North said the suspect approached four individuals leaving the event and shot two of them before walking into the museum, where he was detained by security. Chief Smith said it was still unclear why Rodriguez entered the museum post-attack or what he planned next. The incident happened during a period of heightened global tension following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack in Israel and Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have surged in response, including outside embassies and across U.S. college campuses. 'This was a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism,' said Danny Danon, Israel's Ambassador to the UN. 'Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the U.S. authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act.'President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: 'These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!'Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed federal support. 'We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,' she posted on Director Kash Patel also confirmed that federal agents were working closely with Washington police and that the situation posed no ongoing threat. 'Please pray for the victims and their families,' he General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro were present at the scene. Bondi said she had spoken to President Trump multiple times that night. 'On behalf of the president, his prayers are with all of us all within the Jewish community,' she told Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee, said: 'We are devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue. Our thoughts are solely with the victims and their families.'Senator Chuck Schumer called the shooting 'a sickening act of antisemitism,' while Israeli President Isaac Herzog and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also issued strong the suspect remains in custody, police continue to probe the motivation behind the attack and whether it was a lone act or part of a broader threat. Authorities have not yet released the names of the Israeli Embassy and Jewish organisations have urged the public to remain vigilant but unified. 'We are a resilient people,' said Ambassador Leiter. 'And we will stand strong together.'
