Moreno Calls For Israeli Embassy Shooting to be Investigated as Domestic Terrorism

WASHINGTON –Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser calling for the horrific murder of two employees of the Israeli Embassy, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, by an individual screaming “Free Palestine” outside of the Capital Jewish Museum to be investigated as domestic terrorism.
“Just last month, I traveled to Israel and saw first-hand the daily fight for survival the Jewish people endure against the existential threat of violence and antisemitic terrorism perpetrated by Hamas and other terrorist groups. This horrific tragedy here at home emphasizes the responsibility we have, as elected officials, to ensure citizens of all faiths in this country can practice their religion and exercise their constitutional rights without the fear of being murdered in cold blood,”wrote Senator Moreno.
Read the full letterHEREor below
The Honorable Pamela BondiAttorney GeneralUnited States Department of Justice950 Pennsylvania Ave. NWWashington, D.C. 2053
The Honorable Muriel BowserMayor Washington, D.C.1350 Pennsylvania Ave. NWWashington, D.C. 2000
Dear Attorney General Bondi and Mayor Bowser
As members of the Jewish community gathered in our nation’s capital this week from allover the world, their worst fears became reality. Today, the world mourns the heartbreakingmurder of two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, D.C. while attending an event at theCapital Jewish Museum. Yaron Lischinsky, an Israeli citizen and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, anAmerican citizen, worked to promote reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians Yet lastnight, this young couple, with the rest of their lives in front of them, was gunned down by a terroristscreaming “Free Palestine.” The violence against Jews must stop
In light of this horrific attack, I respectfully request you immediately launch aninvestigation into this hate crime and act of domestic terrorism. The city of Washington D.C. mustalso conduct a full review of the security failures that allowed this terrorist attack to happen
Just last month, I traveled to Israel and saw first-hand the daily fight for survival the Jewishpeople endure against the existential threat of violence and antisemitic terrorism perpetrated byHamas and other terrorist groups. This horrific tragedy here at home emphasizes the responsibilitywe have, as elected officials, to ensure citizens of all faiths in this country can practice their religionand exercise their constitutional rights without the fear of being murdered in cold blood.
In 2024, the nation saw the highest number of antisemitic incidents in almost 50 years. Antisemitic incidents increased five percent in 2024. This increase is in addition to the 344 percent increase in antisemitic incidents over the past five years and an 893 percent increase over the past 10 years. Religious liberty is the very foundation of the origins of our great nation. We must do everything we can to stop hate crimes, domestic terrorism, and antisemitism in America, including prosecuting those who commit domestic terrorism and hate crimes, fully funding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and appropriating funds to the Department of Justice for grants to states for law enforcement to protect our religious institutions against acts of terror.
Therefore, I respectfully request the following:

BERNIE MORENOUnited States Senator