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Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
After shootings, Washington's shaken Jewish community looks to bolster security
FILE PHOTO: Police officers work 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/File Photo FILE PHOTO: A man, with an Israeli flag with a cross in the center, 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/File Photo When Adam Zimmerman chaperoned his son's fourth-grade class field trip to the natural history museum in Washington on Wednesday, he didn't give a second thought to security. Hours later, outside a different museum a few miles (km) away, two Israeli embassy employees were gunned down in what was widely viewed as an act of antisemitism. "It was a horrific reminder for me - as a Jewish parent in this city - that we all have to be looking over our shoulders all the time," said Zimmerman, 43, a media consultant from Rockville, Maryland. The fatal shooting of the young couple after an event at a Jewish museum has deeply shaken the U.S. capital's Jews, and has led to a review of security protocols at synagogues and other institutions. "The same seeds of antisemitism that led to Europe in the 1930s and 1940s are still killing people on the streets of Washington, D.C. in 2025," said Zimmerman, whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors. It was the latest act of violence aimed at Jewish Americans linked to outrage over Israel's escalating military offensive in Gaza, a response to the October 2023 attacks by Hamas militants that killed 1,200 in southern Israel. The Washington shooting took place outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where the American Jewish Committee was sponsoring an annual young diplomats reception. The lone suspect, who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder on Thursday, told police on the scene, "I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza," according to court records. Alan Ronkin, regional director of AJC's Washington office, said security was tight at the event, even though the suspect, Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, managed to enter the museum in the chaos that ensued in the aftermath of the shooting outside. He was apprehended inside. "We are going to revisit our security protocols, and make sure we follow the recommendations of the experts," said Ronkin, who added the community is "shaken but resilient." Ron Halber, chief executive officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said that local law enforcement has increased patrols around Jewish institutions in Washington since the killings. "A lot of us are looking over our shoulder today," said Halber. "But we have to keep leading proud open Jewish lives. I'm certainly not going to let it deter me from any public or private event." Most Jewish institutions in the city already have robust security, including armed guards at most synagogues, according to Halber. "The big discussion that's going to happen is how long does the perimeter extend – one block, two blocks," he said. "Every Jewish organization is increasing their security, whether it's having more guards standing outside during more hours of the day, or if they didn't have any, adding them," said Gil Preuss, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. "Right now it's short term, and we'll see whether there's a permanent change in the level of security. My guess is yes." The federation is one of several Jewish institutions that said on Friday they were fundraising to bolster security. Local and federal grants, especially a nonprofit security grant program administered through the Federal Emergency Management Administration, are a "tremendous" help to offset the costs of security improvements, according to Preuss. After some delays and confusion due to the Trump administration's federal funding freezes in recent months, the program's grant funding has started flowing again, he said. About 50 Jewish organizations issued a statement on Thursday calling on the U.S. Congress to increase funding under the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion, more than double the current figure. 'DESIRE TO BE TOGETHER' Sarah Krinsky, a rabbi at Adas Israel in Washington, said on Friday there were D.C. Metropolitan Police Department cars outside her synagogue, at the end of the block and at the base of the parking lot. Krinsky said the 2018 Tree of Life Synagogue shooting that killed 11 worshippers in Pittsburgh first prompted Adas Israel to boost security significantly. Since Wednesday's attack, the Washington mayor's office, police department, FBI and private firms have all recommended even higher levels of security. She said the conservative congregation's more than 3,500 members would welcome the "slight enhancements," details of which she could not discuss. With the shock of the shooting still raw, Krinsky said she expected a big crowd for Shabbat services this weekend. "There's a real desire to be together, and to be in a place where people can mourn and grieve and express everything they're feeling and feel safe and held," she said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Israelis feel besieged by global antisemitism after Washington attacks
A man, with an Israeli flag with a cross in the center, kneels next to emergency personnel 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 U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter speak to the law enforcement officials as they visit 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 22, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst JERUSALEM - When Jerusalem resident Ziv Halsband woke up to news that two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington had been killed, the software developer came to a disturbing conclusion: Jews were not safe anywhere. "We hope that Trump will continue to help us and to protect us all, especially in the States. And we want to be sure that we can go all over the world with confidence," said Halsband, a tank officer during the Gaza war who was seriously wounded. The Israeli embassy staffers, a young couple about to be engaged, were killed by a lone gunman in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum about 1.3 miles (2 km) from the White House. The single suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, chanted "Free Palestine, Free Palestine," after being taken into custody, Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said. According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, the shootings were a direct result of "toxic antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world" since Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023. Saar told a press conference antisemitic incitement was perpetuated by leaders and officials of many countries and international organisations, especially Europe. GAZA WAR The Hamas attack on Israeli communities near Gaza's border killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages seized, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's ground and air offensive since then has displaced nearly all Gaza's 2.3 million residents and killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. The Washington shootings could result in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right partners taking a harder line in the conflict in Gaza, as well as generate sympathy for Israel from Western allies who have been piling pressure on him to ease an aid blockade on the war-ravaged territory. Wednesday's shootings are also certain to further convulse debate in the U.S. and elsewhere over the war in Gaza, which has polarized steadfast supporters of Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Netanyahu said he was shocked at the "horrific antisemitic" murders which he said had taken place in an atmosphere of rising antisemitism and hostility to Israel. ""We are witness to the terrible cost of the antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel," he said in a statement. He has argued throughout the war that criticism should be levelled at Hamas in the war, not at Israel as it tries to protect its citizens and fight growing antisemitism. The leaders of Britain, Canada and France said this week that Israel's recent escalation of the conflict was "wholly disproportionate". SOCIAL MEDIA The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were locally employed staff, the Israeli foreign ministry said. They were both trying to promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, separate advocacy groups each belonged to said. Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren, who was the target of a foiled assassination attempt by Iran during his service, said incitement on social media has changed the threat level during a difficult time of pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. university campuses. "And honestly, we have to think as a country, how we combat this incitement on social media, because it's a serious threat. And what this does is a systematic dehumanization of the Jews, and we know what that leads to," he said. Some Israelis were especially concerned that the killings took place at the Jewish museum. "It's a Jewish museum, which means the hatred for Jews and the hatred to Israel both aligned. And it's sad, we should fight it," said Jerusalem resident Udi Tsemach. Israeli Aviya Levi, 30, came to the conclusion that leaving Israel was too risky. "I'm an Israeli and it makes me feel like I'm afraid. I'm afraid to go abroad. I'm afraid to. I don't know where we're going to come from. I have kids, it's just going to make me afraid." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Two Israeli embassy staffers killed in Washington shooting
Police officers work 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. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Two Israeli embassy staff were killed in a shooting outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night, according to officials and media reports. A man and a woman were shot and killed in the area of 3rd and F streets in Northwest which is near the museum, an FBI field office and the U.S. attorney's office, according to the reports. "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post on X. FBI Director Kash Patel said he and his team had been briefed on the shooting. "While we're working with [Metropolitan Police Department] to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families," he wrote on X. Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting "a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism." "Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," Danon said in a post on X. "We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act." Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro were on the scene of the shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department declined to comment, saying a press conference would be held shortly. —Reuters
Japan Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Two Israeli embassy staffers killed in Washington shooting
Emergency personnel work 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 TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Two Israeli embassy staff were killed in a shooting outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night, according to officials and media reports. A man and a woman were shot and killed in the area of 3rd and F streets in Northwest which is near the museum, an FBI field office and the U.S. attorney's office, according to the reports. "Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC," Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post on X. FBI Director Kash Patel said he and his team had been briefed on the shooting. "While we're working with [Metropolitan Police Department] to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families," he wrote on X. Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, called the shooting "a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism." "Harming diplomats and the Jewish community is crossing a red line," Danon said in a post on X. "We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act." Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro were at the scene of the shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department declined to comment, saying a press conference would be held shortly. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Straits Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
US Supreme Court lets Trump end deportation protection for Venezuelans
The U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, U.S. May 17, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst FILE PHOTO: People walk near the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo The U.S. Supreme Court allowed Donald Trump's administration on Monday to strip about 350,000 Venezuelans living in the United States of a temporary protected status given under his predecessor Joe Biden, as the Republican president moves to ramp up deportations as part of his hardline approach to immigration. The court granted the Justice Department's request to lift San Francisco-based U.S. District Judge Edward Chen's order that had halted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's decision to terminate the deportation protection conferred to Venezuelans under the temporary protected status, or TPS, program. The court's brief order was unsigned, as is typical when the justices act on an emergency request. Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the sole member of the court to publicly dissent from the decision. The action came in a legal challenge by plaintiffs including some of the TPS recipients and the National TPS Alliance advocacy group, who said Venezuela remains an unsafe country. Trump, who returned to the presidency in January, has pledged to deport record numbers of migrants in the United States illegally and has taken actions to strip certain migrants of temporary legal protections, expanding the pool of possible deportees. The TPS program is a humanitarian designation under U.S. law for countries stricken by war, natural disaster or other catastrophe, giving recipients living in the United States deportation protection and access to work permits. The designation can be renewed by the U.S. homeland security secretary. The U.S. government under Biden, a Democrat, twice designated Venezuela for TPS, in 2021 and 2023. In January, days before Trump returned to office, the Biden administration announced an extension of the programs to 2026. Noem, a Trump appointee, rescinded the extension and moved to end the TPS designation for a subset of Venezuelans who benefited from the 2023 designation. The Department of Homeland Security said about 348,202 Venezuelans were registered under that 2023 designation. Chen ruled that Noem violated a federal law that governs the actions of agencies. The judge also said the revocation of the TPS status appeared to have been predicated on "negative stereotypes" by insinuating the Venezuelan migrants were criminals. "Generalization of criminality to the Venezuelan TPS population as a whole is baseless and smacks of racism predicated on generalized false stereotypes," Chen wrote, adding that Venezuelan TPS holders were more likely to hold bachelor's degrees than American citizens and less likely to commit crimes than the general U.S. population. The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on April 18 declined the administration's request to pause the judge's order. Justice Department lawyers in their Supreme Court filing said Chen had "wrested control of the nation's immigration policy" away from the government's executive branch, headed by Trump. "The court's order contravenes fundamental Executive Branch prerogatives and indefinitely delays sensitive policy decisions in an area of immigration policy that Congress recognized must be flexible, fast-paced, and discretionary," they wrote. The plaintiffs told the Supreme Court that granting the administration's request "would strip work authorization from nearly 350,000 people living in the U.S., expose them to deportation to an unsafe country and cost billions in economic losses nationwide." The State Department currently warns against travel to Venezuela "due to the high risk of wrongful detentions, terrorism, kidnapping, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure." The Trump administration in April also terminated TPS for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians in the United States. Those actions are not part of the current case. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
