Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim who were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, pose for a picture at an unknown location, in this handout image released by Embassy of Israel to the US on May 22, 2025. Photo: Embassy of Israel to the USA via X/Handout via REUTERS

Jewish communities worldwide have strongly condemned the antisemitic shooting in Washington, DC, on Wednesday night, calling for stronger government action as fears mount over a potential rise in violence following the deadly assault on two Israeli embassy staffers in the US capital.

The victims were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in downtown Washington while leaving an event for young professionals and diplomatic staff hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, chanted “Free Palestine, Free Palestine” after being taken into custody. He also reportedly said, “I did it for Gaza.”

Leading Jewish groups and figures around the world quickly decried the act of violence, expressing alarm about the global surge in antisemitism and noting the connection between anti-Israel animus and antisemitic hate crimes.

In France, the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions (CRIF) condemned the shooting, calling it a “hateful crime” and emphasizing that “no political cause can ever legitimize antisemitism.”

“Make no mistake: targeting a Jewish museum and murdering two people while shouting ‘Free Palestine’ is not an act of solidarity — it is a hateful crime, a continuation of the antisemitic violence seen on Oct. 7, now echoed on other shores,” Yonathan Arfi, president of the CRIF, wrote in a statement on X, referring to Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, massacre across southern Israel. Antisemitic incidents have spiked worldwide in the aftermath of the onslaught, the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

“What happened in Washington is a grim reminder that hatred of Jews, disguised as anti-Israel sentiment, is a global menace that knows no borders,” Arfi continued.

Sadness and outrage after the attack carried out last night in Washington

Make no mistake: targeting a Jewish museum and murdering two people while shouting “Free Palestine” is not an act of solidarity—it is a hateful crime, a continuation of the antisemitic violence seen on… https://t.co/cUrVqLE4dK

— CRIF (@Le_CRIF) May 22, 2025

According to local authorities, the victims were Yaron Lischinsky, a 30-year-old research assistant in the political department at the Israeli embassy in Washington, and Sarah Milgrim, a 26-year-old embassy staffer who organized trips to Israel. The young couple was soon to be engaged.

Ted Deutch, CEO of the AJC, denounced the attack, saying the organization stands with the victims’ families and the broader Jewish community as they grieve the tragic loss.

“These are the worst fears of the Jewish community coming true. This was an act of pure evil, and what it did was send shockwaves through the Jewish community around the world,” Deutch said during an interview on Fox News.

“These are the worst fears of the Jewish community coming true. This was an act of pure evil, & what it did was send shockwaves through the Jewish community around the world.”

On @foxandfriends I explained how Jews are feeling about the violence that took place outside an… pic.twitter.com/PkXvucVB9k

— Ted Deutch, CEO of American Jewish Committee (@AJCCEO) May 22, 2025

Amid a sharp rise in antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate crimes since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 invasion of Israel, the shooting on Wednesday night has ignited widespread condemnation from leaders and Jewish communities worldwide, while intensifying fears of further attacks.

In the UK, the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Community Security Trust (CST) — the latter of which is a nonprofit charity that advises Britain’s Jewish community on security matters — also denounced the attack, calling for the suspect to face “the full force of the law.”

“This kind of terrorism is a global threat to all Jewish communities that has risen significantly since Oct. 7, and it is the reason why there is so much security across the Jewish community in the UK,” CST wrote in a statement on X.

CST condemns the terrorist murder of two Israel Embassy staff outside the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. Our thoughts are with their family and colleagues at this awful time. This kind of terrorism is a global threat to all Jewish communities that has risen significantly since 7… pic.twitter.com/Qo2VNe33ka

— CST (@CST_UK) May 22, 2025

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced heightened security at Israeli embassies worldwide as a preventive measure following the deadly attack on US soil.

“We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and the wild incitement against the State of Israel,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “The blood libels against Israel are costing us blood and must be fought relentlessly.”

“My heart aches with the families of the young couple, whose lives were cut short by a despicable antisemitic murderer,” the Israeli leader continued. “I have ordered security arrangements to be boosted in Israeli diplomatic missions around the world and around representatives of the state.”

In a statement on X, Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), denounced the attack as “a devastating reminder that the danger facing Jewish communities is not history.”

Lauder called on US President Donald Trump and global leaders to act swiftly to bolster security at Jewish institutions around the world.

“Though this brazen act of violence occurred on American soil, its message was meant to cause Jews everywhere to tremble with fear,” he wrote. “But let there be no mistake — this act of terror will not drive us into the shadows. We will not hide our faces or our symbols. We will live openly and proudly, as a courageous people.”

Last night’s attack outside the Jewish Museum, which claimed the lives of Yaron Lishinsky z’’l and Sarah Milgram z’’l, is a devastating reminder that the danger facing Jewish communities is not history—it is real and everpresent.

These were two individuals who dedicated their…

— Ronald S. Lauder (@lauder_ronald) May 22, 2025

In Argentina, the Delegation of Argentine Israelite Associations (DAIA) voiced strong condemnation of the attack and stood in solidarity with the victims’ families, while warning about “the alarming rise in antisemitic acts fueled by fierce demonization and delegitimization of the State of Israel.”

In a show of support, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) also condemned the “cold-blooded crime,” emphasizing that it was “premeditated and did not happen in a vacuum.”

“This attack underscores the ongoing vulnerability of Jewish communities around the world,” the statement read. “Antisemitism across the world has increased, including in South Africa, where we are seeing more attacks on our community members, including physical assault.”