2 Israeli embassy staffers shot dead in US, lone suspect held

India strongly condemns attack

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• India strongly condemned the attack, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar saying that the perpetrators of the crime must be brought to justice

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• “Condemn in the strongest term the killing of Israeli diplomats in Washington DC,” Jaishankar said in a social media post. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and colleagues. The perpetrators must be brought to justice”

Two Israeli embassy staffers, committed to Israel-Palestinian dialogue and about to get engaged, were killed by a gunman in Washington, DC, on Wednesday and a suspect who chanted pro-Palestine slogans was in custody, officials said.

The two were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, about 2 km from the White House.

Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said a man shot at a group of four people with a handgun, hitting both the victims. He was seen pacing outside the museum prior to the shooting.

The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were locally employed staff, the Israeli foreign ministry said. They were trying to promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, separate advocacy groups each belonged to said.

Smith said the single suspect, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, chanted “Free Palestine, free Palestine”, after being taken into custody by event security having entered the museum.”

President Donald Trump condemned the shooting, saying, “These horrible DC killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!”

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said his heart ached for the families of the victims, “whose lives were cut short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer”.