In a horrific act of violence near the center of Washington, DC, attackers fatally shot two Israeli Embassy staff members Wednesday night outside the Capital Jewish Museum. Israeli authorities labeled the incident an anti-Semitic act of terrorism, raising fears of diplomatic and religious safety in the US capital.
Attack Unfolds Near FBI Headquarters
The shooting was a few steps from the FBI’s Washington Field Office and prompted immediate actions from local and federal officials. US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the fatalities on the social media site X and highlighted the gravity of the investigation. “Two members of staff from the Israeli Embassy were brutally murdered tonight close to the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. We are currently investigating and trying to find more information to share.”. Kindly pray for the victims’ families. We will see that this heinous offender faces justice,” Noem tweeted.
Two Israeli Embassy staff were senselessly killed tonight near the Jewish Museum in Washington, DC. We are actively investigating and working to get more information to share. Please pray for the families of the victims.
We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) May 22, 2025
Officials have not made the victims’ names public, but several reports confirm they served at the Israeli diplomatic mission. The Israeli Embassy confirmed the sad incident but asserted that the ambassador had not been present when the attack took place.
Federal Authorities Lead Coordinated Response
Police departments, including the Washington, DC police department, were quick to respond to the scene. Police officers cordoned off the area surrounding the museum and are interviewing witnesses and examining surveillance footage. The Capital Jewish Museum, inaugurated in its new location in 2023, was hosting an event organized by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) at the time of the shooting.
🚨 JUST IN: A man and woman were shot and killed in front of the Capital Jewish Museum in Northwest D.C. Wednesday evening.
The shooting took place in the area of 3rd and F streets in Northwest — in front of the Capital Jewish Museum and behind the FBI field office and the U.S.… pic.twitter.com/zqrj2ZFuXP
— RedpillGoku™ (@redpillgoku) May 22, 2025
AJC CEO Ted Deutch quickly responded, saying, “We are shocked that a heinous act of violence occurred outside the venue.”
US Attorney General Pam Bondi and acting US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro also reached the location shortly after the attack occurred. Bondi assured the nation that federal authorities have launched an all-encompassing response and will provide updates as soon as possible.
Global Condemnation and Diplomatic Impact
Israel’s envoy to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized the attack on X, describing it as a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism.” The incident has elicited sharp responses from US and Israeli officials and may result in heightened security at diplomatic sites in the capital.
This deadly act not only underscores the ongoing danger of anti-Semitism but also reveals weaknesses in the security of foreign diplomatic missions. While the authorities mount a search for the gunman, the world is watching.
