Tragedy in Washington: Israeli Embassy Staff Killed in Shooting
Two tragic losses were felt in Washington on Wednesday evening when two staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed near the Capital Jewish Museum. The assailant, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, approached a group of four people and opened fire, resulting in the immediate deaths of an Israeli man and an American woman, both identified as a couple who were about to become engaged. Witnesses reported that Rodriguez appeared distressed as he entered the museum after the shooting. He was taken into custody right at the scene, where he was heard shouting 'Free free Palestine'. Police Chief Pamela Smith confirmed that Rodriguez, while in handcuffs, disclosed where he had discarded the murder weapon, which has since been recovered. The identities of the victims have not been made public, although Israeli officials have confirmed their backgrounds. Israeli Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, and former Israeli Ambassador Mike Herzog expressed profound grief over the incident, with Herzog noting the woman killed was an American employee of the embassy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the shooting as a 'horrific antisemitic act' and lamented the increasing violence fueled by antisemitism and incitement against Israel. Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called the attack a 'depraved act of antisemitic terrorism' and expressed confidence that US authorities would act against those responsible. The event where the shooting took place was intended to discuss humanitarian aid efforts for both Gaza and Israel, underscoring the irony and tragedy that unfolded in the midst of such a hopeful dialogue. Witness Yoni Kalin poignantly reflected on the initiative to bring different communities together saying, 'How can we actually help both the people in Gaza and the people in Israel... And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood.'
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