23-05-2025
‘Not just a Jewish problem': Local Jewish community leaders, advocates speak out on deadly DC shooting
CHICAGO — Leaders from the local Jewish community and advocates are speaking out about the fatal shooting in Washington, DC that left two staff members of the Israeli Embassy dead.
The Anti-Defamation League started tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago and a recent report says the current numbers are the highest on record.
Jewish community leaders and advocates are now urging the public to recognize that this week's attack, and antisemitism as a whole, is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated.
Suspect in DC Jewish museum shooting faces murder, firearm charges in 'death penalty eligible case'
'Antisemitism is not just a Jewish problem, it is an American one. This cowardly act of terrorism in the heart of our nation's capital is an assault on the civic soul of this country,' Alison Pure-Slovin, Midwest Region Director for the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said.
On Friday morning, leaders from the Anti-Defamation League, Chicago City Council and several Jewish organizations shared their sorrow and outrage over the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Mmilgrim, the couple shot and killed Wednesday night as they were leaving an American Jewish Committee (AJC) Young Diplomats event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC.
Those who spoke out said they believe the deadly shooting is part of an increase in antisemitic attacks nationwide.
Suspect in DC Jewish museum shooting faces murder, firearm charges in 'death penalty eligible case'
In 2024 the Anti-Defamation League recorded 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the US. That is a 5% increase from 2023, a 344% increase over the past five years and close to a 900% increase over the past 10 years.
The AJC's 2024 State of Antisemitism in America report cites that more than half of the Jewish population in the country doesn't feel safe.
'77% of American Jews stated that they do not feel safe being Jewish in this country, the United States,' Beth Ida Stern, Interim Regional Director of the Chicago American Jewish Committee, said.
'This isn't about politics anymore, this is about good versus evil and we are all in a position to do something about it. It's our moral obligation to do something,' Ald. Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward) said.
Suspect in DC Jewish museum shooting faces murder, firearm charges in 'death penalty eligible case'
To help combat hate against the Jewish community, the local leader of the Anti-Defamation League says he wants to see the State of Illinois develop a statewide plan to combat antisemitism. And before the session ends in Springfield next week, he's urging state lawmakers to pass a bill that would require law enforcement to go through hate crimes training.
Additionally, he is asking people not to forget the recent attack and to work to stop others from happening.
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