External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has vehemently condemned the killing of two Israeli diplomats outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., extending his deepest condolences to the victims’ families during his official visit to Denmark.
The tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night (local time) when a male and a female employee of the Israeli Embassy in Washington were fatally shot by an unknown attacker as they exited the museum. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed the fatalities, and authorities reported that a lone suspect has been apprehended.
Expressing solidarity with Israel, Jaishankar took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice India’s firm stance against the violence and call for swift accountability.
“I strongly condemn the killing of Israeli diplomats in Washington, D.C. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and colleagues. The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he posted.
In response to the tragic event, Israeli embassies worldwide, including the one in New Delhi, lowered their flags to half-mast as a mark of respect and mourning.
“With deep sorrow, we lower the flag today in memory of Yaron and Sarah, who fell victim to a heinous terrorist act in Washington, D.C. May their memories be a blessing,” read a post by the Israeli Embassy in India on X.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the shooting earlier, describing it as a “senseless” act of violence.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff members were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. We are conducting an active investigation and gathering more details. Please keep the victims’ families in your prayers. Justice will be served against this depraved perpetrator,” she wrote on X.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also issued a forceful denunciation of the attack, condemning it as a hateful and anti-Semitic act.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated, “These horrific killings in D.C., clearly motivated by anti-Semitism, must stop immediately! There is no room for hatred and radicalism in the United States. My heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families. It is truly tragic that such events can still happen. God bless you all.”
Law enforcement in Washington has launched a comprehensive investigation involving multiple agencies, treating the attack as a hate crime driven by anti-Semitic intent.
Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith revealed that the attacker, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, used a handgun to open fire on a group of four individuals, killing the two Israeli staffers.
Chief Smith noted that Rodriguez was seen loitering near the museum prior to the shooting.
“Following the incident, the suspect entered the museum premises, where he was apprehended by event security,” she said.
“Once restrained, the suspect directed officers to the location where he had discarded the weapon. The firearm has since been recovered, and the suspect indicated that he was responsible for the crime,” she added.
Authorities further reported that as Rodriguez was being taken into custody, he chanted political slogans, including “Free Palestine, Free Palestine,” pointing to a possible ideological motivation behind the attack.
