Two Israeli embassy staff members were killed by a pro-Palestinian assailant Wednesday evening while leaving an event held at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were set to be engaged.
Hours after the homicides, law enforcement arrested Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago. Upon Rodriguez being identified as the prime suspect, authorities learned of his affiliation with the Marxist, pro-Palestinian group, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL).
Photos online reportedly show Rodriguez at a Black Lives Matter protest in 2017, marking the three year anniversary of an officer-involved shooting in Chicago. Additionally, Reuters is reporting that he was an oral history researcher at a nonprofit ‘dedicated to preserving African American stories.’
As the nation’s capitol and Jewish Americans grapple with the fallout from the targeted killings, Alabama’s Republican elected officials offered their prayers and reflections on the tragic act of antisemitic terrorism.
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Democrats representing Alabama, U.S. Reps. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) and Shomari Figures (D-Mobile), have not made any public statements about the incident that the FBI says it is investigating as a possible hate crime and terror attack.
The Alabama Israel Legislative Caucus, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers, chaired by State Reps. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook) and Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery), said in a statement on Thursday, “This is a hate crime and act of terrorism against innocent people on American soil.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) labeled the murders ‘devastating’ and Rodriguez a ‘TERRORIST.’
Devastating news as two Israeli Embassy staff members were MURDERED by a TERRORIST in our nation’s capital last night.
Antisemitism has NO PLACE in our society.
Praying for the family and loved ones of Yaron and Sarah. https://t.co/IAEUDZYVKj
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) May 22, 2025
According to U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), the deaths of Lischinsky and Milgrim are an attack on Jews everywhere.
The horrific murder of two young Israeli Embassy staff members last night in D.C. was an attack on Jews across America and the world.
Our nation cannot stand by and allow antisemitism to continue to hide behind other names, slogans, and chants. I’m praying for the families of…
— Senator Katie Boyd Britt (@SenKatieBritt) May 22, 2025
Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Saks) called on Americans to stand together to ‘eliminate antisemitism.’
Last night, two Israeli embassy staffers were brutally murdered by a Hamas sympathizer. My prayers are with the families of the fallen and the entire embassy staff as they grieve this horrific act of violence. The evil of antisemitism has been allowed to gain far too much ground…
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) May 22, 2025
Congressman Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) noted the senselessness of the assailant’s actions.
I am heartbroken to hear about Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky who were senselessly murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum.
Antisemitism has no place in the United States. Please join Heather and I in praying for the families and friends of the victims.
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) May 22, 2025
Governor Kay Ivey said that the two victims were killed in the name of “Free Palestine.”
Our country was horrified to wake up to the news that two Israeli Embassy staffers in our nation’s capital were execution-style gunned down in the name of “Free Palestine.” Antisemitism and radicalism have no place here. Let us pray for these two victims and their families.
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) May 22, 2025
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth demanded that Rodriguez face the ‘ultimate penalty’ for his crimes rooted in ‘ungodly beliefs.’
In an act of pure evil that was firmly rooted in ungodly beliefs, two young Israeli Embassy staffers were murdered in the streets of our nation’s capital. Such extremism must be punished with the ultimate penalty. Join me in lifting the victims’ families and friends with prayer.
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) May 22, 2025
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall decried the radical ideology that led to the killings.
I am horrified by last night’s terrorist attack on two Israeli Embassy staffers. In the words of President Trump hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.https://t.co/YbIblKlHhj #FoxNews
— Attorney General Steve Marshall (@AGSteveMarshall) May 22, 2025
Emergency crews arrived and attempted to save the couple following the shooting. Both were later pronounced dead at the scene.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
