May 28, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Antisemitism should not be viewed as a singular incident but as an ideology, a pervasive hatred that expresses itself in different forms. Antisemitism has always adapted itself to different periods and cultures. Since October 7, 2023, antisemitism has been loud, aggressive, and progressive in its nature. The main target is the State of Israel.
Already since the end of 2023, many have argued that the Free Palestine demonstrations, the use of masks to cover up identities, violent rhetoric and mass movement character of all the anti-Israel activities are leading up to worse phenomena. Although the demonstrations, marches and campus take-over have been global in character, it does seem already for a long time that the United States has a leading role in these. During 2024 and 2025 there have been repeated attempts at violence, prevented by police and various security organizations. An article in the Spectator reported a rise of 893% in antisemitic incidents in the USA over a decade.
It is then no wonder that a murder of two Israeli Embassy staff members took place in Washington DC on May 21, 2025. It was almost predictable that -inspired by the manifestations of hatred- action like this could follow.
Yaron Lischinsky, 28, a member of the Israeli Embassy staff and his girlfriend and Embassy staff member Sarah Milgrim, 26, attended an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. As they got out, a shooter shot at them killing both. Elias Rodriguez, 30, shouted “Free, Free, Palestine”, as he was taken into custody. According to reports, he also said to Police “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” Rodriguez had a long history of extreme left and antisemitic activity.
Lischinsky and Milgrim were both extremely committed to advancing peace in the region. Lischinsky was known to many pro-Israel Christians, as he was not only a member of a local Jerusalem Messianic congregation but also a collaborator with Christian Zionist groups.
Pro-Palestinian social media account celebrated the murders. For years various pro-Palestinian groups have called for a global intifada. This is then the result. It is time for the West to wake up before it is too late.
The Holocaust Remembrance Association strongly condemns the general antisemitic trend in the USA and all over the Western World. We also express our concern over the violent rhetoric and social media glee expressed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators following the murder of two innocent people.
It is time to say Never Again!
The Holocaust Remembrance Association exists to remember, reconcile, and take a stand against antisemitism in all its forms.
[author] [author_image timthumb='on']https://irw.duv.temporary.site/website_047320a9/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dr-Sussanna-K-Round.png[/author_image] [author_info]Dr. Susanna Kokkonen received her Ph.D. in Holocaust Studies from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. For ten years Dr. Kokkonen was the Director of the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem. Dr. Kokkonen has authored several books about the Holocaust and antisemitism. She educates Christian audiences worldwide including about the Jewish roots of their faith. Dr. Kokkonen is the author of the exhibits for the Holocaust Garden of Hope and serves the Holocaust Remembrance Association as Educational Advisor. [/author_info] [/author]
