Ottawa, Canada – Canada’s highest political and diplomatic figures have expressed deep sorrow and unequivocal condemnation following the brutal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on May 21, 2025.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking from Rideau Hall on May 22, described the killings as “devastating and appalling.” He called the attack “a targeted assault on the Jewish community” and offered his prayers to the victims’ families and the Jewish community at large. “Such acts of hatred have no place in our society,” Carney said, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of rising antisemitism.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand echoed these sentiments on her official X account and in a television interview. “I am absolutely appalled and horrified by the murder of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. My thoughts are with their families and loved ones. Antisemitism, and the violence and fear it brings, are beyond deplorable and must stop,” Anand stated.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre posted on X, condemning the attack as “an appalling act of antisemitic terror.” He emphasized Canada’s need to “stand unequivocally with Israel and the Jewish people against hate.” Poilievre’s message underscored his pledge to defund antisemitic propaganda and strengthen hate-speech laws based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition if his party were to form government.
Israel’s Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, expressed shock and devastation over the killings. Speaking to the Canadian Press, he thanked Canadian officials and civil society for their support and affirmed the vigilance of Israeli diplomats in Ottawa. “Our team in Ottawa feels shocked and devastated. We remain vigilant, but the warmth and support from Canada’s government and civil society have been deeply reassuring,” Moed said.
The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 31, from Chicago, was arrested at the scene after reportedly shouting “Free, free Palestine.” Authorities are investigating the shooting as an antisemitic hate crime and act of terrorism.
The tragic deaths of Lischinsky and Milgrim, a young couple planning to be engaged, have deeply affected Jewish communities in Canada and worldwide. The incident has renewed calls for vigilance, education, and enhanced security to protect Jewish Canadians and all minority groups from hate-fueled violence.
This article is based on verified statements and reports from CTV News, Canadian Press, Lethbridge Herald, and official government and diplomatic sources as of May 23, 2025.