On May 21, 2025, the violence that has plagued the Middle East for months spread to Washington DC. Two staff members from the Israeli embassy were shot and killed outside an event at a Jewish museum.
The two staff members, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, were killed by Elias Rodriguez, a 31 year old from Chicago outside of the Capital Jewish Museum. The couple had been leaving an event at the museum, and when they exited they were met with the gun of Elias, who had been pacing outside for hours. He had opened fire on 4 people. He then went into the museum where he was detained while screaming “Free Palestine”, despite killing those fighting for that freedom.
The victims Yaron and Sarah were rumored to be getting engaged soon. Yaron is said to have bought a ring and was planning on proposing in Jerusalem. Yaron is a joint German-Israeli national and a Messianic Jew, meaning he believes in both Christian and Jewish traditions and beliefs. Sarah was an American born in Kansas, and graduated from the University of Kansas. Her father Robert said that she “Loved everybody in the Middle East” and “loved Israel”. He added that “She had a lot of close Palestinian friends, as well as many Israeli friends.” The event that they were attending was one for humanitarian aid organizers responding to crises in the Middle East, including Gaza.
Despite the tragedy, many have chosen to support Rodriguez’s actions. One TikTok influencer with over 3 million followers, Guy Christensen, supported the attack. He originally condemned the murder, but later posted a video not only reversing his views but encouraging others to “We must meet with escalation and stronger resistance.” He called Sarah and Yaron “war criminals”. Even in his original video condemning the attack, he felt the need to point out that they were zionists. It is videos like these that spread and fuel anti-semitism that leads to murders of innocent Jews, and it must be stopped.
While some people met this attack with support, many chose to criticize it and honor the lives of Sarah and Yaron. The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem held a memorial service and planted a tree in honor of the victims. Hopefully we can honor the victims in our own way and stop the spread of hate.
