Israeli Embassy Staffers Killed Outside Jewish Museum Had Just Attended Event Focused On Bringing Humanitarian Aid To Gaza

The two Israeli embassy staffers killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. had just attended an event focused on bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

IsrAID, an independent group, said in a statement that "we, and all the attendees, gathered in the interest of finding practical solutions to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza." The reception's theme was "turning pain into purpose."

"This event with our partners at the Multi Faith Alliance focused on bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza through Israeli-Palestinian and regional collaboration" the group added, claiming that one of its goals was showing that "working together is the only way forward for all the people in the region."

"The brutal and tragic irony that such an event – motivated by humanitarian principles – was targeted for more violence is heartbreaking. We unequivocally condemn this attack."

The FBI said in a press conference that its standing with the Metropolitan Police Department to investigate the killing of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim and "look into ties to potential terrorism or motivation based on a bias-base crime or a hate crime."

The main suspect in the case is Elias Rodriguez. The 31-year-old reportedly confessed to the crime as he canted "free, free Palestine." A witness said that he also said "I did it for Gaza."

Katie Kalisher, who attended the event, recounted the scenes after hearing the gunshots. She said a visibly scared man entered the building and that she and others tried to help him. He then asked what kind of museum it was, and when told it was a Jewish one he said "Do you think that's why they did it?"

Rodriguez then pulled out a keffiyeh, the scarf worn by Arabic communities and embraced by the pro-Palestinian movement, and confessed to being the perpetrator.

The Israeli government reacted to the news in a social media post, saying the country "will not be deterred by terror." "We will continue our mission across the globe, with unwavering commitment to represent Israel with pride," the post added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also condemned the incident, calling it a "horrific attack, obviously an antisemitic attack."

"I have several Jewish colleagues here that are dear friends who came up to me. We spoke about that in the wee hours of the morning, and how jarring it is for them and for all of us, and it reminds us that we've got to be very careful," Johnson added.