Two Israeli embassy staff members shot dead near Jewish museum in Washington

Two staff members from the Israeli embassy were shot and killed near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC on Wednesday (local time), according to US secretary of homeland security Kristi Noem.

"Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC," Noem posted on X. "We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share."

Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims.

We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025

Incident based on 'antisemitism' says Trump





Commenting on the incident, US President Donald Trump said that it was based on "antisemitism". "These horrible DC 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!" he said in a post on Truth Social.

“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!” —President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/Z30bjAQOpZ

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 22, 2025

An Israeli embassy spokesperson was quoted as saying by CNN that the Israeli ambassador was not involved in the incident and was not present at the location when the shooting took place.

US attorney general Pam Bondi said on social media that she, along with acting US attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro, has arrived at the scene of the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum.

I am on the scene of the horrible shooting outside the Washington, DC Capital Jewish Museum with @USAttyPirro. Praying for the victims of this violence as we work to learn more.

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) May 22, 2025

Suspect chanted 'Free Palestine'




The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, chanted "Free Palestine" while he was taken into custody. When he was taken into custody, the suspect began chanting, "Free, free Palestine," Washington Police chief Pamela Smith said at a news conference.






'Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line,' says Israeli ambassador to UN




Meanwhile, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, condemned the incident and termed it as "crossing the red line". In a post on X, he said, "The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism."

The fatal shooting that took place outside the event that took place at the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. is a depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism. Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against… pic.twitter.com/mVyXHjGyxU

— Danny Danon 🇮🇱 דני דנון (@dannydanon) May 22, 2025

He added, "Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line. We are confident that the US authorities will take strong action against those responsible for this criminal act. Israel will continue to act resolutely to protect its citizens and representatives – everywhere in the world."

FBI director Kash Patel was also briefed on the incident. In a post on X, he said, "My team and I have been briefed on the shooting tonight in downtown DC outside the Capital Jewish Museum and near our Washington Field Office. While we’re working with MPD to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families. We will keep the public updated as we are able."


(This is a developing story)