It has been almost six hundred days since the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel resulted in the death of 1,200 people. The world has indeed shifted gears when it comes to Israel and the Jewish people. History books will remember October 7, 2023, as the day when everything changed for Modern Israel and global Jews. Just like there is a pre-Holocaust and post-Holocaust Jewish history, there will be a pre-October 7 and post-October 7 modern Israel history. In the meantime, Jews are being murdered!
The world woke up to the news on Thursday of yet another killing of Jews, this time in Washington, DC. This was a terror attack; this was antisemitism, and this was murder! Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, both on staff at the Israeli Embassy in DC, were about to be engaged. They were also the epitome of peace-seeking and interfaith dialogue. They were attending an event at a Jewish museum when the shooter, Elias Rodriguez, killed them both and shouted “I did it for Gaza, Free, Free Palestine” as the police apprehended him.
This was pure antisemitic evil, but this time it’s different, and we need to pay attention because it has opened the door to more opportunities for Jews to get hurt or murdered all around the world. It is not another radical Islam crime. It is a result of the continual normalization of antisemitism that we have been witnessing over the last couple of years. Words chanted such as “Free Palestine” or “Globalize the Intifada” eventually led to blood being shed, and this is exactly the outcome of Wednesday evening’s attacks.
• The killer is not a Muslim
Elias Rodriguez is a Hispanic young man from Chicago and apparently the member of a radical Leftist group (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.) The world is used to and sometimes somewhat desensitized to radical Muslim antisemitism. This is not to say that all Muslims are antisemitic, but the truth is that until recently, most violent acts of antisemitism around the world were perpetrated by radicalized Muslims. Hamas is no different, but somehow, their rallying cry against Israel is resonating with more people outside of Islam. Case in point, Rodriguez is not a Muslim, and yet, as he was taken by the police, he shouted, “I did it for Gaza, Free, Free Palestine.” Antisemitism has become an equal opportunity killer, way beyond the radical Islamist circles.
• The killer waited for the police to shout his propaganda
Elias Rodriguez appeared to have planned his killing, and he carefully waited to be apprehended to shout his statement. He showed no remorse. On the contrary, he appeared full of pride as he shouted his venomous cry in front of the cameras. He was unknown to the police. He not only waited to be apprehended before yelling “Free Palestine”, but he first shot people outside and then got inside the museum, appearing as a victim before he spoke up and was consequently detained. As he wore his red keffiyeh (Middle East head covering popularized by Yasir Arafat), he sent a 2025 message no different than those who wore a swastika during World War II. Rodriguez’s boldness is another sign of how Satan is utilizing people in the most irrational fashion.
• The victims were followers of Yeshua (Jesus)
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim were about to get engaged in Jerusalem within days of this tragedy. They both were followers of Yeshua (Jesus), and this is an extremely important development. Jewish people who choose to follow Yeshua, like me, have long been misunderstood by the Jewish community at large. We have been called traitors, renegades, and many other names, much worse. Now is not the time for a theological discussion between Jews who believe in Jesus and Jews who don’t; it is time for Jews to unite against antisemitism, because when it comes to the antisemites of the world, like Elias Rodriguez. A Jew is a Jew regardless of his/her belief in Jesus. For that fight, all Jews must work together!
If anyone is wondering what “Globalize the Intifada” means, you just got your answer. Is it open season on the Jews? Very possibly YES!
The words have morphed into deeds. When will our words of support morph into deeds of support?
If you are a pastor or know a pastor, now is the time to ask them to get involved. Most churches have their own security teams during Sunday services. Have your pastor call the local rabbi and introduce himself. Pastors should invite the local rabbi for coffee or a meal and offer to freely provide their security team to the synagogue or Jewish Community Center on Friday night or Saturday morning for Shabbat services as a community courtesy. I call it “No Synagogue Left Behind.” I personally know some pastors who have done that, and the Jewish response was one of shock and gratitude. Do it, now is the time to expose our Jewish friends to genuine biblical Christianity. Now is the time to get skin in the game!
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim will be missed. May their memory be a blessing!
