It is no surprise when calls for violence lead to violence
Law enforcement work the scene after two staff members of the Israeli Embassy were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum, Thursday, in Washington.. Credit: AP/Rod Lamkey
For nearly 20 months, we've heard the slogans — at rallies on our streets, at encampments on our college campuses, and across social media.
"Intifada, Revolution."
"Globalize the Intifada."
"Resistance is Justified."
Each phrase is often accompanied by another:
"Free, Free Palestine."
Again and again, protesters who chant those words have attempted to disingenuously claim that their so-called anti-Zionism and opposition to Israel was peaceful, that those calls were not calls for violence, and that the marches, protests and memes were not antisemitic and had nothing to do with hatred for Jews.
On Wednesday night, the reality became violently and terrifyingly clear, when Chicago resident Elias Rodriguez allegedly killed two Israeli Embassy employees as they were leaving the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington. Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky had just participated in an American Jewish Committee event for young diplomats. The event was billed as being "dedicated to fostering unity and celebrating Jewish heritage." Among the issues discussed: humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Rodriguez, who was charged with murder in what the FBI called "targeted antisemitic violence," ran into the museum after the shooting. As he was arrested, Rodriguez, who was holding a keffiyeh, shouted, "Free, Free Palestine," in the singsong style that's become common for protesters since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attacks that killed about 1,200 people. According to the charges, Rodriguez, who apparently has attended pro-Palestinian marches, told police he "did it for Gaza."
While there's much we still don't know, this much is clear: This crime was steeped in hatred of Jews.
Milgrim and Lischinsky were preparing to go to Israel next week, where Lischinsky was going to propose marriage; he had just purchased a ring. Milgrim's father said he had been concerned about whether his daughter would face danger by going to Israel.
But there is danger here, too.
This tragedy, while shocking and appalling, should not be surprising. It was, in fact, inevitable. According to the Anti-Defamation League, there were 9,354 antisemitic incidents — from vandalism to harassment to assault — across the country last year, an 893% increase since 2015. For more than a year and a half, many protests have incited hatred of the Jewish state and Jews who support it. Legitimate protest can be peaceful and appropriate. But words like "intifada" and "revolution" are anything but. It was inevitable that violent rhetoric would turn into violent action.
Some pro-Palestinian supporters have suggested this was an outlier — a situation where one person took the rhetoric too far. But if that's the case, where is their condemnation? If they don't condone such violence, shouldn't national and local organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, and others express horror at the tragedy and sympathy for the victims?
On Thursday, they said nothing. In fact, the Bronx Anti-War Coalition, which led some pro-Palestinian protests, seemed to celebrate the attacks, posting: "What Elias Rodriguez did is the highest expression of anti-Zionism."
In the wake of Wednesday's shootings, Long Island elected officials and police departments promised stepped-up security at synagogues and other Jewish institutions. It's a familiar refrain, one we heard after the Tree of Life synagogue attack in 2018 and after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. As the Jewish Sabbath approaches Friday evening, Jews will once again face metal detectors and bag checks as they come together to pray.
None of that will stop the deep-rooted antisemitism that Wednesday night led to the taking of innocent lives — and will again.
Columnist Randi F. Marshall's opinions are her own.
Randi Marshall is a member of the Newsday editorial board.
