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State Department condemns killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, offers investigative support
Summary
At a State Department press briefing, spokespeople condemned the fatal shooting of two employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., identified by name, and said the Department's Diplomatic Security Service is working with the Metropolitan Police Department on the investigation.
The State Department on Tuesday condemned the fatal shooting of two employees of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., and said federal diplomatic security personnel are assisting the local investigation.
"We condemn the heinous murder of 2 staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC last night," the State Department spokesperson said, naming the victims as Sarah Milgram and Yaron Leshinski and offering prayers for their families. "The Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service is providing ongoing support to the DC Metropolitan Police Department and their investigation of this incident and coordinating with other federal and local law enforcement partners."
The spokesperson linked the statement of support to broader remarks by senior officials: "make no mistake, we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice," they said, referring to words attributed in the briefing to Secretary Marco Rubio. The press room speaker also framed the killings in a wider context of anti-Jewish violence, saying October's attacks "were a reminder to the world that Jew hatred and murder is the hallmark of terrorists and monsters around the world."
Reporters asked whether U.S. embassies elsewhere were on special alert after the D.C. shooting. The spokesperson declined to discuss specific security measures but said the safety of American diplomats and foreign diplomats in U.S. posts "is of paramount importance" and that the Department acts on that daily.
No further operational details were provided about the investigation at the briefing. The State Department attributed investigation leadership and operational law-enforcement action to the DC Metropolitan Police Department, with the Diplomatic Security Service in a supporting and coordinating role.
The briefing did not announce any formal policy changes or travel advisories tied to the incident; reporters who raised follow-ups on contacts between Secretary Rubio and Israeli officials were told the Department would not comment on the specifics of private diplomatic conversations.
The Department identified the two victims by name and offered condolences; it said investigations are ongoing and that it is coordinating with local and federal partners.
