What began as a quiet evening gathering turned into a night of horror when gunfire erupted outside the Capital Jewish Museum, killing two Israeli embassy staffers and reigniting debate over rising anti-Semitism.

The attack happened late Wednesday, just a mile from the White House, during a social event attended by young professionals and diplomats. Police said the gunman, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was arrested at the scene after shouting “free Palestine.”

The victims were identified as Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a U.S. employee of the Israeli embassy. The couple had been planning to marry, according to Israeli officials.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!” says President Donald Trump, who had earlier spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu condemned the attack and called it “the terrible price of anti-Semitism.” He also criticized what he described as “wild incitement against the State of Israel.”

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar directly blamed international criticism of Israel’s Gaza offensive. He said there is “a direct line connecting anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement to this murder.” Saar added that such incitement is “also done by leaders and officials of many countries and international organizations, especially from Europe.”

French foreign ministry spokesperson Christophe Lemoine rejected Saar’s comments and called them “completely outrageous and completely unjustified.”

In Manila, Israel’s embassy released a public statement on social media expressing their grief:
“We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington — Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. May their memory be a blessing.
We embrace the grieving families during this painful time and will continue to support them always.
Israeli diplomats and representatives around the world stand on the frontlines of Israel’s diplomatic efforts, defending the country with their very lives.
We will not be deterred by terror. We will continue our mission across the globe, with unwavering commitment to represent Israel with pride.”

The investigation is ongoing, but the shooting has already reignited urgent global conversations around hate crimes, political incitement, and the safety of diplomatic personnel.