Latest news with #PartyForSocialismAndLiberation
Fox News
28-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Suspect in murder of Israeli Embassy couple linked to organization that called Oct. 7 attack 'legitimate'
The man who allegedly killed two Israeli Embassy employees outside the Capital Jewish Museum last Wednesday night in Washington, D.C., was linked to the Party for Socialism and Liberation, which praised the Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack in the hours after it happened. Elias Rodriguez, 31, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, and several firearm-related counts. The Department of Justice is weighing whether it will invoke the death penalty in the case. Rodriguez flew from Chicago, Illinois, where he lives, to allegedly carry out the shooting. The shooting happened during an American Jewish Committee event the night of May 21, which brought Jewish professionals and members of the diplomatic community together. Yaron Lischinsky, 31, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, both died after the shooting. Lischinsky and Milgrim were engaged. Both individuals were employed by the Israeli Embassy. Following the shooting, the Party for Socialism and Liberation said in a post on X that Rodriguez had a "brief" affiliation with the association that ended in 2017. "We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL. He had a brief association with one branch of the PSL that ended in 2017. We know of no contact with him in over 7 years," the group said. "We have nothing to do with this shooting and do not support it." The group believes "the only solution to the deepening crisis of capitalism is the socialist transformation of society." "Driven by an insatiable appetite for ever greater profits regardless of social cost, capitalism is on a collision course with the people of the world and the planet itself. Imperialist war; deepening unemployment and poverty; deteriorating health care, housing and education; racism; discrimination and violence based on gender and sexual orientation; environmental destruction—all are inevitable products of the capitalist system itself," its website states. In an article in the Party for Socialism and Liberation's official newspaper that has since been deleted, Elias Rodriguez was identified as a member of the organization when talking about Amazon's Seattle, Washington, presence. "The wealth that Amazon has brought to Seattle has not been shared with its Black residents," Rodriguez said. "[Amazon's] whitening of Seattle is structurally racist and a direct danger to all workers who live in that city. So do we in Chicago and all across the country want a nation of cities dominated and occupied by massive corporations where only the rich and white can live and the vast majority of us must live on edges of the city and society living in deeper and deeper poverty?" In the hours after the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack in Israel, the group posted to X, saying that resistance "is not a crime!" "Resistance to apartheid and fascist-type oppression is not a crime! It is the inevitable outcome for all people who demand self-determination rather than living with the boot-heel of the oppressors on their necks," the group said. PSL STATEMENT: Resistance to apartheid and fascist-type oppression is not a crime! It is the inevitable outcome for all people who demand self-determination rather than living with the boot-heel of the oppressors on their FULL STATEMENT HERE: The group went on to say that the Oct. 7, 2023 attack "is a morally and legally legitimate response to occupation." In a separate X post on Oct. 8, 2023, the group said, "Palestinian resistance is not terrorism! It is a basic fact of history that any people subjected to occupation will resist that occupation." 🇵🇸Palestinian resistance is not terrorism! It is a basic fact of history that any people subjected to occupation will resist that occupation.🧵What led to yesterday's courageous counter-offensive? According to the Anti-Defamation League, speakers at rallies held by the Party for Socialism and Liberation after Oct. 7, 2023 praised Hamas and the attack. "We saw last weekend, the only recourse the Palestinians have left, which is armed resistance, and again, that is their right under international law," one speaker said at an Oct. 14, 2023 protest in Tampa, Florida. At an Oct. 8, 2023 protest in Anaheim, California, one person celebrated this "moment where Hamas is taking control, they're resisting." A spokesperson for StandWithUs, an Israel education organization, told Fox News Digital that the Party for Socialism and Liberation should be investigated. "PSL celebrated the atrocities on October 7 as 'courageous' and 'bold.' They held a rally where a speaker mocked the Nova Festival massacre. Despite their efforts to distance themselves from the murder of Yaron and Sarah, they should be thoroughly investigated," the group said. Former homicide detective and Fox News contributor Ted Williams told Fox News Digital he thinks the incident is a "wake-up call" for law enforcement. "I think law enforcement clearly needs to be far, far more involved in rooting out all these antisemitic groups, sort of like the one that Rodriguez is alleged to have been a part or involved with," Williams said. "The problem is there's not a lot of law enforcement officers to go around, unfortunately, to take on these assignments to infiltrate these groups and to try to weed out individuals like Rodriguez." Fox News Digital reached out to the Party for Socialism and Liberation for comment.
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Suspected Washington gunman was BLM protester who flaunted support for Hamas
From Chicago, the suspected gunman was once linked to the Party for Socialism and Liberation, a far-Left group that regularly posts anti-Israel rhetoric on social media and spearheaded Black Lives Matter protests. Mr Rodriguez participated in a 2017 Black Lives Matter protest outside the home of Rahm Emanuel, the mayor of Chicago at the time, according to a now-deleted article on the group's Liberation news outlet seen by the New York Post. Before the killing, he once worked as an oral history researcher at the History Makers, a non-profit that documents the stories of 'unsung' African Americans, an online CV shows. Amichai Chikli, Israeli diaspora affairs minister, said the world must hold to account the 'irresponsible leaders in the West who give backing' to hatred against Jews and Israelis, 'whether through appeasement, double standards, or silence'. Mr Chikli said: 'French president Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney have all, in different ways, emboldened the forces of terror through their failure to draw moral red lines. This cowardice has a price – and that price is paid in Jewish blood.'
The National
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Who is Elias Rodriguez, suspected gunman in murders of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington?
Police detained Elias Rodriguez following a shooting on Wednesday night near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington that left two Israeli embassy staffers dead. Israel's Foreign Ministry named the victims as Yaron Lischinsky, who worked in the embassy's political department, and his partner Sara Milgram of the public diplomacy department. The museum was hosting the 'AJC Access Young Diplomats Reception', organised by the American Jewish Committee, aimed at 'fostering unity' among young Jewish professionals and the diplomatic community. Mr Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before approaching a group of people and opening fire. "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. Mr Rodriguez is a resident of the Albany Park neighbourhood in Chicago, Illinois. According to NBC's Chicago affiliate, early on Thursday several FBI agents were seen entering an address in the city linked to the suspected gunman. He is believed to be 30 years old. After the shooting, he walked into the museum, where he was detained by event security. As he was being arrested, he shouted "free, free Palestine". Mr Rodriguez was once linked to the Party for Socialism and Liberation – a far-left group that often makes pro-Palestine posts on social media. The group, however, rejected attempts to associate it with the shooting, saying that that Mr Rodriguez was only briefly associated with the group and left in 2017. A LinkedIn profile believed to belong to Mr Rodriguez shows he was employed by the American Osteopathic Information Association as a profiles administrative specialist. "We were shocked and saddened to learn that an AOIA employee has been arrested as a suspect in this horrific crime," American Osteopathic Association president Teresa Hubka and chief executive Kathleen Creason said. "As a physician organisation dedicated to protecting the health and sanctity of human life, we believe in the rights of all persons to live safely without fear of violence."
Al Bawaba
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Who is Elias Rodriguez? Killer of 2 Israeli Embassy workers
ALBAWABA - Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois, was recently arrested by local police after shooting two Israeli Embassy workers near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, sparking debate on social media regarding his identity. According to several reports, 30-year-old Rodriguez shouted "Free Free Palestine" while being arrested due to the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, which resulted in the killing of 53,655 Palestinians and the injuring of at least 121,950. Another eyewitness told local outlets that he waited for the police for 10 minutes to state that he "did it for Gaza." The Israeli ambassador stated that the young couple who were shot on Wednesday were about to get engaged before the shooting incident. Who is Elias Rodriguez? Killer of 2 Israeli Embassy workers Speculations about Elias Rodriguez's identity flooded social media on several platforms such as X (formerly known as Twitter). Several reportedly found his LinkedIn profile, which states that he resides in Chicago with no ties to Washington, DC, where the shooting took place. While authorities are still investigating the man's background, several social media users linked Rodriguez to the Party for Socialism and Liberation, with a Liberation News article shared as reference. The article also linked Elias Rodriguez to the murder of Laquan McDonald and the Chicago bid for an Amazon headquarters. These reports remain unconfirmed as the police investigate possible ulterior motives behind the shooting, including "political or antisemitic." In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences to the families of two victims that "antisemitism, hatred, and Radicalism have no place" in the country.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Protesters in Atlanta demand end to Israeli occupation and arms embargo
The Brief The demonstration in Atlanta marked the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, highlighting the ongoing issues of genocide, siege, and forced displacement of Palestinians. Speakers condemned Israeli military actions and called for an arms embargo, release of political prisoners, humanitarian aid, and an end to Israeli occupation. The event was part of a global day of action, emphasizing Palestinian resistance and the impact on global consciousness regarding Palestinian rights. ATLANTA - Hundreds gathered on the North Avenue Beltline Bridge in northeast Atlanta Sunday afternoon to mark the 77th anniversary of the Nakba, or "catastrophe," commemorating the mass displacement of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. What they're saying Organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Atlanta for Palestine, and the Diaspora Pa'lante Collective, the demonstration called attention to what organizers described as "ongoing genocide, siege, and forced displacement of Palestinians." "For 77 years, the Palestinian people have been subjected to genocide, siege, dispossession, and forced displacement, enduring unfathomable brutality at the hands of the Zionist colonial project," said Addison Clapp, an organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation. "Atlanta must rise up on Nakba Day alongside cities across the world to declare that the people stand with Palestine and the whole world rejects Zionism." Clapp and other speakers condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank and demanded an immediate arms embargo on Israel, the release of Palestinian political prisoners, humanitarian aid for Gaza, and an end to what they described as Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. Local perspective One demonstrator, identified only as Gaius, said Palestinians have endured "77 years of resisting the genocidal, colonial, imperialist state of Israel," adding that "they deserve their homeland, self-determination, freedom and liberation." Another speaker, Jawahir Sharwani, expressed outrage over U.S. financial support for Israel. "They killed over 200,000 people, over 50,000 children, and it's all over with our tax dollar money," Sharwani said. "We're going to keep fighting until we get our freedom." Organizers said they intended to maintain pressure through continued public demonstrations. "Because of the Palestinian resistance, the consciousness of the entire world is forever changed," Gaius said. "It's not just 77 years of Nakba — it's 77 years of powerful, resilient Palestinian resistance." The event was part of a global day of action in support of Palestinian rights. Organizers made representatives available for interviews before, during and after the rally. The Source The details in this article come from the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Atlanta for Palestine, and the Diaspora Pa'lante Collective.
