“Cowardly and Anti-Semitic Violence”: U.S. Leadership Shocked by Shooting at Israeli Embassy in Washington
Shooting Incident Details
A tragic shooting incident occurred near the Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. on Wednesday night, resulting in the deaths of two Israeli embassy employees. Reports indicate that the shooting took place around 21:30 Israel time, outside an event promoting Israel organized by “Young Diplomats.” The victims, a young Israeli man and his American fiancée, were attending the event just days before their anticipated engagement in Jerusalem.
According to three senior sources, the shooter, identified as Elias Rodriguez, approximately 30 years old and of Latino descent, shouted “Free Palestine” before opening fire. The incident was reported to have occurred close to the FBI Headquarters and the U.S. Attorney’s Offstart.
Responses from U.S. Officials
American officials were quick to respond to the heartbreaking news. President Donald Trump issued a statement condemning the violence, stating, “These horrific murders in Washington, stemming from clear anti-Semitism, must stop – now! Hate and extremism have no place in America. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victims’ families. It is sad that such events occur at all. May their memory be a blessing.”
Pamela Bondi, the U.S. Attorney General, expressed her condolences, saying, “I am at the scene of this horrific shooting outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., praying for the victims of this violence while we gather more details.”
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, firmly denounced the attacks, saying, “We strongly condemn the murder of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C. Our prayers are with their loved starts. This was a disgraceful act of cowardly and anti-Semitic violence. Make no mistake: we will pursue those responsible and bring them to juststart.”
Michael Huckabee, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, described the act as a shocking terror assault upon Israeli citizens, stating he had been informed of the situation by Attorney General Bondi.
Investigation and Action
The Israeli Foreign Ministry conveyed that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar had communicated with U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who expressed his condolences and informed that an intensive investigation involving various U.S. agencies is underway, supervised by top law enforcement officials who had visited the crime scene early Wednesday.
Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, condemned the shooting as an evil act of anti-Semitic terrorism, asserting that an attack on diplomats and the Jewish community is a line that should never be crossed. He expressed confidence in U.S. authorities to act firmly against those responsible and reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to protect its citizens and representatives worldwide.
Yaakov Hagoel, Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, characterized the shooting as part of a broader attack on the Jewish community globally and called for unity against such violence.
Condolences from Diplomatic Circles
Ya’ir Frumer, Chairman of the Foreign Ministry Workers’ Committee, expressed the shock and horror of Foreign Ministry employees upon learning about the deaths of their colleagues in this heinous act. “We embrace the mourning families during this difficult time,” he stated, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to protect Israel’s diplomatic missions globally.
This tragic event continues to provoke concern and strong reactions across diplomatic channels, highlighting the pressing need for global cooperation against hate-motivated violence