October 7th Comes To America

In a devastating act of violence, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were fatally shot outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening. The attack has sent shockwaves through diplomatic communities and raised urgent concerns about the safety of Jewish institutions amid rising antisemitism. Authorities report that Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, shot the couple as they exited a diplomatic event focused on Israeli-Palestinian collaboration. Witnesses say Rodriguez shouted "Free, free Palestine!" during his arrest. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and federal hate crimes. He will likely face the death penalty. 

For many, the horror of the shooting was not just an isolated incident—it was a haunting reminder of October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists massacred over 1,200 Israelis in a surprise attack. “October 7 was the day Israel bled,” said Rabbi Ari Feldman, a community leader in D.C. “Now, that terror has arrived on American soil. Our hearts are broken—again.”

Yaron Lischinsky, 30, was a research assistant in the political department of the Israeli Embassy. Born in Nuremberg, Germany, to a Jewish father and Christian mother, he moved to Israel at 16, served in the Israel Defense Forces, and pursued higher education in international relations and diplomacy. Fluent in English, Hebrew, and German, Lischinsky was known for his dedication to fostering interfaith dialogue and peace efforts in the Middle East. He had planned to propose to Milgrim during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem.Sarah Milgrim, 26, was an American citizen from Overland Park, Kansas. A graduate of the University of Kansas, she held master's degrees in international affairs and sustainable development. Milgrim worked in the embassy's public diplomacy department and was deeply involved in peace-building initiatives, including volunteering with Tech2Peace, which promotes dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. Friends and colleagues remember her as a passionate advocate for coexistence and a dedicated member of the Jewish community.

Former President Donald Trump condemned the attack as “a vile and cowardly act of hatred,” calling for “swift justice and lasting vigilance.”President Joe Biden said in a statement: “This was not just an attack on two diplomats—it was an attack on the values of decency, tolerance, and peace. The perpetrators of such hatred will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the killings “an assault not only on Israel but on the very idea of diplomacy and coexistence.” He added, “This blood was spilled not because of who they were, but because of what they represented.”Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar placed blame on the growing climate of international hostility toward Jews and Israelis:

“There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder,” Sa’ar said at a news conference Thursday in Jerusalem. “This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe, ”Sa’ar warned that while concern exists, action is lacking:

“What is [lacking] I feel is the connection between the atmosphere created—the specific words—and this kind of wave of antisemitism we are facing,” he said.

As the world mourns, Jewish organizations and security experts are calling not just for reflection, but for urgent action. David Horowitz of the Safe Jewish Spaces Initiative said, “This can't be another tragedy we grieve and forget. We need to move from mourning to mobilizing.”

French foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine responded that the accusation was “outrageous and completely unjustified,” adding that “France has condemned, France condemns, and France will continue to always and unambiguously condemn any antisemitic act.”

France denounced the killings of the staffers “in the strongest possible terms,” Lemoine said, describing the shooting as “an antisemitic, heinous, and unacceptable act.”

“Nothing can justify such violence. France reaffirms its absolute rejection of antisemitism in all its forms and is using all means at its disposal to combat this scourge,” he added.

The murders of Israeli Embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim weren’t random. They were the tragic result of an ideological environment that has steadily normalized antisemitism under the veneer of political activism, and that environment has now turned deadly on U.S. soil.

The suspect reportedly shouted “Free, free Palestine!” as he opened fire, a chilling signal that this was not a personal vendetta but a politically charged attack. The victims weren’t just individuals—they were symbols: Jewish, Israeli, diplomatic, and visible. And in today’s environment, that makes them targets. None of this is a coincidence. 

Over the past several months, antisemitism has surged across college campuses, social media platforms, and political protests. The normalization of this rhetoric, by influencers, academics, and even elected officials, has created a toxic atmosphere. 

Experts agree that combating antisemitism requires a coordinated and proactive approach. First and foremost, Holocaust and antisemitism education must be mandated in schools to confront ignorance with historical truth. Social media platforms must be held accountable, removing hate speech swiftly and banning repeat offenders to curb online incitement. Increased federal and local funding is essential to secure synagogues, Jewish schools, and community institutions. Hate crime laws must be enforced consistently, with proper training for law enforcement to recognize and respond to antisemitic threats. Finally, political leaders must denounce antisemitism unequivocally—without euphemism, deflection, or silence.

In the shadow of October 7, this attack is a reminder that what once felt distant can arrive at our doorstep. The question now is not whether it will happen again, but whether we will act before it does.