Israeli diplomats are killed in Washington and is investigated as an act of religious terrorism

Two members of the Israeli diplomatic corps were shot dead on Wednesday night, 21st, near the capital’s Jewish museum, located in the northwest of Washington, DC.

The victims, a man and a woman, were part of the Israeli Embassy team in the United States. The attack occurred around 8 pm, near the 3 and F streets, in an area near the site of a Jewish community event.

The crime, ranked preliminarily as a possible act of terrorism motivated by religious hatred, is being investigated by local and federal authorities of the United States, with cooperation from the Israeli government. Washington Metropolitan Police confirmed that the perpetrator of the shots was arrested at the scene.

According to the corporation head, Pamela Smith, the suspect was identified as 30 -year -old Elias Rodriguez. He would have been seen around the museum before the event began, shouting phrases such as “Free Palestine, Palestine Free.”

The motivation of the attack is under analysis, but both the FBI and the US Department of Justice treat the case as a potential terrorist action. FBI director Kash Patel reported that federal units were fired immediately after the incident. “The case is receiving maximum attention,” said Patel.

The victims, according to reports collected by members of the local Jewish community, formed a young couple who actively participated in community events. Rabbi Levi Shemtov of the Theshul synagogue – frequented by the victims – reported that they both recently attended Purim’s festivity and planned to announce their engagement.

“Our community is shaken. Those who discover it early tomorrow will be disturbed, but as a community we will come together with determination. We are resilient and overcome this challenge,” said the rabbi. He lamented the tragedy, mentioning that the couple was about to celebrate one of the most important moments of their lives.

In response to the attack, Israeli and American and American authorities have publicly spoken out.

United States President Donald Trump used his account on the Truth Social network to comment. “These horrible murders in Washington, DC, obviously based on anti -Semitism, need to end, now! Hate and radicalism have no place in the US,” he wrote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said security measures will be reinforced in all Israeli embassies abroad. Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, has stated that the episode represents “a cowardly act that requires a firm and immediate response.”

The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, defined the crime as “a depraved act of anti -Semitic terrorism” and highlighted the victims’ diplomatic history. “The victims were peaceful citizens, committed to the diplomatic service, brutally murdered by who they are,” he said.

United States Internal Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the US government is mobilized to elucidate the case. In a publication on social network X (former Twitter), Noem assured that the authorities “will bring this crime depraved to justice” and emphasized the commitment to prevent similar situations from occurring again.

The Ambassador of Israel in the United States, Yechiel Leiter, was at the crime scene accompanied by US Attorney General Pam Bondi. In an official statement, Leiter said the Israeli government expects a rapid response from US authorities.

The attack also provoked reactions on other diplomatic fronts. Jewish representations and international entities have manifested in solidarity with the victims’ families and charged more rigorous protection measures around institutions linked to the Jewish community in the United States.

The attack occurs amid an increase in geopolitical tensions involving Israel and Palestine, a context that has motivated the increase in incidents and threats against Jewish communities in various parts of the world. The tragedy rekindled the debate on security and surveillance at religious and diplomatic events, especially in the United States.

So far, the suspect Elias Rodriguez remains in custody. Authorities continue to investigate, analyzing records, security images and witness reports. New details about the case are expected to be released over the next few days, according to the progress of the findings.

With information from Reuters