Israeli Embassy Staff Killed in DC Shooting Were Young Couple in Love
The two victims of the tragic shooting near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, have been identified as Sarah Milgrim and Liron Lischinsky, young diplomats serving at the Israeli Embassy. The incident, described by Israeli officials as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack, has sent shockwaves through both diplomatic and Jewish communities across the United States and Israel. But beyond the geopolitics and investigations, this tragedy is deeply human — it is the story of a young couple full of promise, whose lives were cut short just days before they were to become engaged.
Liron Lischinsky, described by colleagues and friends as passionate about peace and diplomacy, had dreamed of serving his country as a diplomat. Fluent in German and deeply invested in German-Israeli relations, Lischinsky worked tirelessly toward fostering understanding and peaceful coexistence in the Middle East. According to the German-Israeli Friendship Society, his presence brightened every room, and his work was more than professional—it was personal. Lischinsky had plans. He had purchased a ring and intended to propose to his girlfriend, Sarah Milgrim, during a trip to Jerusalem scheduled for the upcoming week. The two were expected to board a flight to Israel on Sunday. That dream was never fulfilled.
Sarah Milgrim, 26, was a bright and deeply motivated woman, committed to making the world a better place. Her LinkedIn photo, taken proudly between Israeli and US flags, captured her essence — a bridge between nations, embodying diplomacy and hope. Since 2023, Milgrim had served in the Israeli Embassy’s public diplomacy section in Washington. Her journey into the world of international relations and peacebuilding had taken her from Kansas City to Washington, and then to Israel, where she worked with Tech2Peace, a nonprofit focused on bringing together Israeli and Palestinian youth through technology and dialogue.
Milgrim’s academic background reflected her passion for the environment and peace. She earned a degree in environmental science from the University of Kansas, followed by a master’s in international studies and sustainable global development. She also pursued studies at American University in Washington and participated in a United Nations University for Peace program. Her father, Robert Milgrim, described her as someone "doing what she loved, she was doing good."
Her commitment to dialogue and understanding was not just academic. She once conducted a study on "the role of friendships in the Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding process," emphasizing the importance of human connection in a region often defined by division. Her work and beliefs made her a standout in the world of young diplomats and changemakers.
The story of how Milgrim’s parents learned of her death adds another tragic layer. Her mother, Nancy, had already planned to fly to Washington on Sunday to look after Sarah’s dog while she traveled to Jerusalem. On the evening of the shooting, she noticed alerts on her phone and began tracking her daughter’s location, which led her to the Capital Jewish Museum. The grim realization hit before the official call. “I pretty much already knew,” Robert Milgrim told The New York Times, recalling the painful moment the Israeli ambassador called to inform them of their daughter’s death—and the engagement plans they never knew about.
According to Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, both Lischinsky and Milgrim were deeply committed to their diplomatic roles and to each other. Their deaths are not just a loss to their families, but to their nation, to peacebuilding efforts, and to all who believe in the possibility of a better world through diplomacy and dialogue.
While investigations into the shooting are ongoing, and security has been tightened across diplomatic missions in the US, the focus today is on honoring their lives. US and Israeli leaders, as well as human rights groups and diplomatic colleagues, have issued statements mourning the loss and condemning the violence. The American Jewish Committee, which was hosting an event at the museum when the attack occurred, described the shooting as “an unspeakable act of violence.”
The attack, steps away from the FBI’s Washington Field Office, has raised serious questions about security for diplomats and potential lapses in intelligence. Yet, amid the chaos and the politics, the most haunting part of this story remains the lost future of two young people who believed in peace, connection, and a shared future.
Sarah Milgrim and Liron Lischinsky were not just embassy staff or statistics in a news cycle. They were partners in life and in mission—two individuals who stood for peace, whose lives were dedicated to building bridges. Their deaths are a searing reminder of the cost of hatred and violence and of the work that remains to create a world where such tragedies no longer occur.
As families grieve and nations reflect, one thing is certain: the story of Sarah and Liron will not be forgotten. It will endure as a symbol of love, dedication, and the unfulfilled promise of a peaceful tomorrow.