ADL Devastated at Heinous Jewish Museum Attack in Washington, D.C.

“Unfortunately, this tragedy was inevitable” after a year of increasing antisemitic incitement and harassment

New York, NY, May 22, 2025 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today issued the following statement in response to last night’s heinous attack against two individuals attending an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. hosted by the American Jewish Committee. The suspect in the killings of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both employees at the Israeli Embassy, is reported to have shouted “Free, Free Palestine” as he was being taken into custody.

Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director, issued the following statement:

Our hearts are broken for the victims of this heinous attack against a young couple attending an American Jewish Committee (AJC) event in Washington D.C. This was not just against the Jewish community of D.C., but an assault on all Jewish Americans and indeed all Americans.

We know that words have consequences. When antisemitic rhetoric is normalized, tolerated, or even amplified in our public discourse, it creates an environment where violence against Jews becomes more likely. In a climate of relentless antisemitism in the U.S. and globally since Oct. 7, 2023, unfortunately, this tragedy was inevitable. Already it has led to Jewish students on campus being attacked in libraries and on the quad, Jews walking to synagogue attacked, and Jewish businesses and synagogues targeted.

And now, we have this tragic murder of two innocent young people in the prime of their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and the entire Jewish community at this difficult time.

It's time for all Americans to come together to say that antisemitism has no place in our country, and for all of our leaders to work together to root out this evil and hate.

Antisemitism was already at historic levels. ADL’s latest Audit of Antisemitic Incidents tracked a total of 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2024, an increase of 5 percent from the previous year and a 344 percent increase over the past five years. This is the highest number of attacks against Jews on record since ADL began tracking incidents 46 years ago.

According to data from the ADL Center on Extremism, since July 2024 there have been nine terrorist plots and attacks targeting Jews, Zionists or Jewish Institutions in the United States.

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.