Mayor Eric Adams spoke to New Yorkers after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC were fatally shot on Wednesday, calling the incident an act of violence that is “unacceptable and not tolerated.”
During a press conference on May 22, while flanked by leaders of different religious groups, Adams said the two staffers, a young couple named Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, were shot to death outside a Jewish museum in the nation’s capital in what officials called an antisemitic attack.
“To have Yaron and Sarah be assassinated in public view is something that will leave a scar on not only Jewish citizens of this city and country but for all of us of goodwill,” the mayor said. “They were a beautiful couple attending a young Jewish professionals event. And we lost them to a senseless act of despicable violence.”
‘A depraved act of terrorism’
He said NYC is responding to the incident in multiple ways, including heightened security.
“There must be a substantive response and a symbolic response,” Adams said. “Let’s call this what it is: a depraved act of terrorism.”
The NYPD said there is “no known connection” to NYC. Nevertheless, on Thursday, the department deployed numerous police units, including counter-terrorism officers from critical response commands, to various Jewish cultural institutions and houses of worship throughout the city.
There will also be more security at Israeli diplomatic facilities, Adams said.
“We also did this periodically after the attacks on Oct. 7, 2023,” the mayor said. “But let me be clear: we are doing this out of an overabundance of caution.”
According to a recent Anti-Defamation League report, reported cases of antisemitic assaults, acts of vandalism, harassment and other incidents in 2024 rose by 18% in New York, reaching 1,437 in total.
“In the last year and a half, we watched the hate bleed onto our streets, college campuses, and now, at our cultural events,” the mayor noted. “People have glorified terrorist organizations and called for violence against Jews, they called for death to America, to Israel, and to the people of Israel.”
Like Adams, other metro area elected officials condemned the attack at the embassy. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams called the fatal shootings “heartbreaking,” adding that “hate in all forms has no place” in the city or country.
“No one should be the target of violence due to their religion, and our Jewish community, like all communities, deserve to feel safe,” she said. “We must continue to stand together to consistently root out hate and the senseless violence it inflicts on our communities. My heart and prayers are with Yaron and Sarah’s family and loved ones, and the American Jewish community at large, during this immensely difficult time.”
House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) said he was “horrified” by the deadly attack.”
“Antisemitism has no place in our nation, and its rise must be urgently crushed by people of goodwill across America and throughout the world,” the Congress members said. “We strongly support the loved ones of the Israeli embassy staff murdered, and our prayers are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic attack. America will stand firmly with the Jewish community during this great hour of need.”
Ofir Akunis, consul general of Israel in New York, said ongoing “rhetoric that legitimizes violence” against Jewish people and Israelis led to the attack.
“This is a direct result of dangerous incitement and unprecedented riots led by terror-affiliated groups on U.S. campuses,” Akunis said. “Sadly, someone here listened to the chants of ‘Intifada, Intifada.’ Qatar is responsible for funding the protests that led to this tragedy and must be held to account.”
According to an article in the Associated Press, the alleged suspect in the attack was identified as Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago. On Thursday, Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI were interviewing Rodriguez.
Media reports recounted witnesses observing the suspect pacing outside the museum before the fatal shooting took place.
Reports also said the suspect chanted “Free Palestine” after he was arrested. Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Israeli embassies around the world increased security.
