On Wednesday night, a tragic incident unfolded in Washington, D.C., where two staff members from the Israeli embassy—a Christian man and his Jewish girlfriend—were killed by individuals expressing anti-Israel sentiments. The attackers reportedly shouted “free Palestine” during the confrontation.
Yaron Lisinski, 28, who worked in the political department of the Israeli Embassy, was identified as one of the victims. According to reports, he had a unique upbringing, being from a family with mixed faith, having a Jewish father and a Christian mother. His background was highlighted by Lonen Scholl, the dean of the Argaman Institute of Advanced Studies in Jerusalem, who described him as a devout Christian who felt a strong connection to Israel.
Lisinski was shot alongside his girlfriend, Sarah Lynn Milgrim. During a press conference, Israeli ambassador Yethiel Leiter shared that Lisinski had proposed to Milgrim earlier that day, having bought an engagement ring, and was planning to visit her in Jerusalem the following week.
The attack has drawn attention as an anti-Semitic incident, especially given the context of the event at which it occurred. A suspect, Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, was captured on video while being detained, shouting slogans like “free free Palestine” and discarding a checkered scarf commonly associated with Palestinian groups.
Lisinski held a bachelor’s degree in government, diplomacy, and strategy from Reichmann University, and he also studied international relations at Hebrew University. Milgrim, who had a master’s degree in international studies from American University and another in natural resources and sustainable development, focused her research on peacebuilding initiatives within the Israel-Palestine region, expressing a deep passion for fostering peace.
The event where the couple was attacked was a young diplomat reception organized by the American Jewish Commission, aimed at discussing humanitarian aid strategies amidst ongoing conflicts.
