The murder of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., has sent shockwaves through faith communities around the world, underscoring the real and growing threat of antisemitic violence. For Catholics, this tragedy serves as a painful reminder of our shared call to reject hatred and protect the dignity of every human life—especially amid global conflict and religious persecution.
As violence intensifies in Gaza, tensions are rising far beyond the Middle East. According to The Associated Press, the victims—Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli diplomat, and Sarah Milgrim, an American Jew—were a young couple about to be engaged. They had just attended a humanitarian-themed event focused on building peace between Muslims, Jews, and Christians when a gunman opened fire.
“This event was about humanitarian aid,” said attendee Yoni Kalin. “How can we bring together Muslims and Jews and Christians to work together to actually help innocent people? And then here he is just murdering two people in cold blood” (AP, May 22, 2025).
The suspect, identified by police as Elias Rodriguez, reportedly shouted “Free, free Palestine” after the shooting and while in custody. He had no significant criminal history, and according to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, he was seen pacing outside the museum before the attack. When detained, he pulled out a red keffiyeh and repeated slogans widely used in anti-Israel demonstrations (AP).
The Vatican has often reminded the world of the Church’s deep commitment to Jewish-Catholic solidarity and the duty to speak out against antisemitism. Pope Francis repeatedly denounced hatred against Jews as a “sin against God.” Now, as Catholics witness this brutal act of violence, we are reminded that prayer must lead to action—solidarity must lead to security.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “We are witnessing the terrible price of antisemitism and wild incitement against Israel.” In response, he ordered a global increase in security at all Israeli diplomatic missions (Jerusalem Post, May 22, 2025).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington, now under Jeanine Pirro, is handling the case. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino noted, “Early indicators are that this is an act of targeted violence.” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump condemned the act as “obviously based on antisemitism” and declared, “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.” (AP).
This horrific act occurred against the backdrop of a devastating war. The Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 50,000 Palestinian casualties in the months that followed, according to Gaza’s health ministry—though their figures do not differentiate civilians from combatants (AP). While many criticize Israel’s military actions, nothing can justify the targeted killing of innocents, especially in a place of cultural and religious memory.
As people of faith, we must be clear: the sanctity of life is non-negotiable. The Catechism teaches that “every form of social or cultural discrimination in fundamental personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language, or religion must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design” (CCC 1935).
What can we do?
Catholics are called to be peacemakers. We must pray for the victims—Sarah and Yaron—and for their grieving families. We must also denounce all forms of antisemitism and stand united in defending religious freedom and human dignity. As this tragedy reminds us, “Never again” is not a slogan—it is a responsibility.
Let us not be indifferent. Let us not be silent. May our faith move us to be instruments of peace in a world so deeply wounded by hatred.
