Yaron and Sarah, the young couple from the Israeli embassy in the U.S., shot dead in Washington

Washington – A deep shock has shaken the international community after two members of the Israeli embassy staff in Washington were shot dead as they left the Jewish Museum in the American capital. They are Yaron Lisinsky, 28, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a U.S. citizen of Jewish origin. Both were in a relationship and were planning to get engaged soon, according to Israeli ambassador Yechiel Leiter in a statement to the press.

Lisinsky had acquired an engagement ring with the intention of proposing to Sarah during a trip to Jerusalem, scheduled for the following week. The embassy released an image of the couple, smiling and full of life, describing them as “close companions and friends” who were “in their youth and with a promising future.”

The attack occurred a few meters from the diplomatic headquarters, at an event convened by the American Jewish Committee that brought together young diplomats at the museum. The attacker, Elías Rodríguez, 30 years old, approached the group and opened fire without warning, according to witnesses. He was arrested shortly after while exclaiming slogans in favor of “a free Palestine”.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the act, calling it a “repugnant, cowardly and antisemitic act,” and assured that justice will be done. For his part, President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, expressed his dismay, calling the attack an “infamous hate crime.” He stated that “neither terror nor hatred will undermine our determination.”

From Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed to reinforce security at all Israeli diplomatic missions around the world. He noted that what happened is a demonstration of the high cost of antisemitism and violent incitement against his country.

As investigations into possible accomplices intensify, expressions of solidarity and mourning continue to arrive from all over the world, in memory of two young people who were victims of hate when they were just beginning to build their future.