On social media platforms, especially X and Instagram, some users are expressing joy over the killing of two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lisinsky and Salamilgrim. They were shot outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.
In response to posts about Lisinsky, many comments reflected a troubling satisfaction with what appears to be a targeted attack. Lisinsky’s X account received numerous replies, with some users seeming to celebrate the incident, which occurred while he was out with his girlfriend downtown.
One of Lisinsky’s friends shared that he was a “loved American” and a “devout Christian.” He was looking forward to visiting Texas and had plans for a future with his fiancé. Tragically, this was to be a significant day in their lives.
The suspected shooter, 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, reportedly shouted “Free, free Palestine!” after the shooting. Witnesses noted that he encountered other Jewish events shortly after Lisinsky and Milgrim had left to get water.
Rodriguez has a complicated history, having been involved with various political groups, including the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL). This organization has been associated with protests that arose after the recent Hamas attacks on Israel in early October 2023.
The PSL has explicitly distanced themselves from this incident, stating that Rodriguez is no longer affiliated with them and had not been in contact for over seven years. They emphasized that he should not be linked to their cause in any way.
