Killing of Embassy Staffers Stokes Israeli Fears of an Increasingly Hostile World

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Has Ordered Security to Be Increased at Israeli Missions Around the World

- Anat Peled & Dov Lieber

Israelis woke up Thursday to the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., reinforcing a fear that the world has become increasingly dangerous for Israelis and Jews amid the war in Gaza and a global rise in antisemitism.

On Wednesday, a man who shouted "Free Palestine!" shot and killed a young couple from the Israeli Embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum in the downtown area of the capital, law-enforcement officials said. The man, who was later arrested, was identified by police as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. He paced outside the museum before approaching four people with a handgun and opening fire, police said.

The victims of the attack were identified as Sarah Lynn Milgrim and her partner Yaron Lischinsky, who both worked at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, according to the Israeli foreign ministry. Israel's ambassador to Washington, Yechiel Leiter, said Lischinsky had just bought an engagement ring for Milgrim and was going to propose in Jerusalem next week.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered security to be increased at Israeli missions around the world and for the state's representatives following the attack.

"We are witness to the terrible cost of the antisemitism and wild incitement against the State of Israel," Netanyahu said. "Blood libels against Israel have a cost in blood and must be fought to the utmost."