External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday issued a strong condemnation following the fatal shooting of two Israeli diplomats outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., extending his condolences to the victims’ families.
The two diplomats—a male and a female staff member from the Israeli Embassy—were gunned down on Wednesday night (local time) by an unidentified assailant. U.S. Homeland Security has confirmed their deaths, and the suspect has been taken into custody.
Currently on an official visit to Denmark, Jaishankar expressed India’s solidarity with Israel in a post on social media platform X.
“Condemn in the strongest terms the killing of Israeli diplomats in Washington, DC. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and colleagues. The perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he wrote.
In tribute to the victims, Israeli missions worldwide—including the embassy in New Delhi—lowered flags to half-mast.
The Embassy of Israel in India posted,
“In profound sorrow, we lower the flag today to remember Yaron and Sarah, victims of a brutal terrorist act in Washington, DC. May their memory be a blessing.”
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the shooting as a “senseless” act and confirmed an active investigation is underway.
“Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. Please pray for the families of the victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice,” she stated on X.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump also condemned the attack, attributing it to anti-Semitic hatred.
“These horrible DC killings, based obviously on anti-semitism, must end, now! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation, treating the incident as a hate crime driven by anti-Semitic motives.
According to Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, the suspect—identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago—opened fire on a group of four people, fatally striking the two Israeli diplomats. She added that Rodriguez had been seen loitering outside the museum before the attack.
“After the shooting, the suspect entered the museum and was detained by security personnel. He later identified where he discarded the weapon, which has since been recovered. He also implied responsibility for the attack,” Chief Smith said.
Police also reported that Rodriguez shouted slogans such as “Free Palestine, Free Palestine” during his arrest, pointing to ideological motives behind the violence.
