Local reactions of shock and grief are pouring in from the Jewish community in Baltimore after two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot and killed outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on May 21.
The staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were soon to be engaged before they were shot and killed by Elias Rodriguez, 31, who came to D.C. from Chicago for a work conference. The couple had just left a young professionals event at the museum hosted by the American Jewish Committee.
After shooting Lischinsky and Milgrim, Rodriguez went inside the CJM building, where he was detained by event security.
Eyewitnesses told national media that Rodriguez said that he shot the couple “for Gaza,” and he is seen on video chanting “Free, free Palestine,” while in custody.
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Rodriguez with using a firearm to commit murder, first degree murder, murdering foreign officials and using a firearm during a violent crime.
In his first court appearance, Rodriguez did not make a plea and will remain in custody.
Since the news broke overnight on May 21, dozens of national and local Jewish organizations have expressed their profound grief over the killings and have unequivocally condemned it as an antisemitic attack.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of two lives outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. — an unspeakable act of violence during a moment meant for gathering and connection,” The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore said in a statement. “We mourn the lives of the young couple and the futures they should have had. We stand in solidarity with Jewish communities worldwide, once again shaken by this unjust act of antisemitism.”
The Associated said that this tragic event serves as a reminder of why the work they do protecting, supporting and bringing the Jewish community together is so important.
The Howard County Jewish Advocacy Group said that, in light of the killings, they would be renewing calls to both Howard County and the state of Maryland to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism.
HoCoJAG added that adopting the definition would provide “a clear and internationally recognized framework” for recognizing and dealing with antisemitism when it rises in Maryland.
“We are heartbroken and outraged by the brutal murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim outside the Capital Jewish Museum. This horrifying act of violence is a stark and tragic reminder that antisemitism — including hatred directed at Jews because of their connection to the Jewish State — is a growing and deadly threat, even here on American soil,” HoCoJAG said in a statement.
Immediately following news of the killings, the Baltimore Police Department issued a statement notifying residents that there would be an increased police presence and more patrols “around synagogues, community centers and other key institutions throughout the city,” according to Police Commissioner Richard Worley.
Worley added that there were no known threats in the area at the time of his statement but that he recommended people take precautions to ensure their safety and that of the community.
The killings have also brought forward security concerns from the broader Jewish community.
The Jewish Federations of North America, along with 42 other Jewish organizations, called for the U.S. government to support increased security measures for the Jewish community in a statement on May 22.
They asked the government to increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program to $1 billion to address “the urgent and growing need and demand” for protection at Jewish institutions.
The organizations also called for increased FBI intelligence to combat domestic terrorism, funding for local police to better support Jewish institutions, aggressive prosecution of antisemitic hate crimes and holding online platforms accountable for amplification of antisemitic hate.
“All Americans have the right to feel safe and secure. This is a problem not just for the Jewish community but for every American community. We thank the government and our partners for their ongoing support, and call on them to take action to protect our people and institutions from hate and violence,” JFNA said in the statement.
Locally, the Baltimore Jewish Council said that the threat of antisemitic violence is the reason why The Associated and BJC put so many resources into security for the local community and stressed the importance of continuing their work to further safeguard the Baltimore Jewish community.
“On this sad morning, we are once again reminded of the important task ahead not only to protect our community but to build relationships and educate our partners about the rise of antisemitism and hate,” BJC said in a statement.
