The two Israeli Embassy staff members who were killed outside an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., were on the verge of getting engaged, stated Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter.
“The couple that was tragically shot tonight under the guise of ‘Free Palestine’ is a young pair about to be engaged,” Leiter informed reporters during a news conference on Wednesday evening. “The young man had bought a ring this week with plans to propose to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem.”
Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli, and Sarah Milgrim, an American, both held positions at the embassy. According to the Associated Press, Lischinsky was a research assistant while Milgrim coordinated trips and missions to Israel.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told reporters that Sarah Lynn Milgrim, left, and Yaron Lischinsky, were about to get engaged. (Reuters/Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The Israeli Embassy memorialized the couple in a social media post, saying they were “our friends and colleagues.”
“The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder. No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss,” the embassy wrote. “Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time.”
Israeli and American officials have condemned the attack, with Washington vowing to probe the shooting thoroughly. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said DHS is “actively investigating” the incident and “working to get more information to share.”
President Donald Trump also commented on the deadly attack in a Truth Social post, calling for an end to antisemitic violence.
“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!”
Elizabeth Pritchett and Yael Rotem-Kuriel contributed to this report.
