AFT President condemns antisemitic murder of Israeli diplomats in D.C.

Tragic Loss of Israeli Diplomats in Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON—In a somber statement, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), addressed the tragic killing of two Israeli diplomats in Washington, D.C. The diplomats, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were victims of a violent attack last night in the nation's capital.

“The antisemitic targeting in D.C. last night and the cold-blooded murder of two innocent young diplomats, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, is heart-crushing. May their memories be for a blessing,” Weingarten expressed in her statement.

The diplomats were attending an event organized by the American Jewish Committee. The gathering aimed to foster engagement among young diplomats and featured IsraAID, an Israeli nongovernmental organization known for its international humanitarian efforts. IsraAID notably collaborates with Palestinians to provide aid in Gaza, highlighting its humanitarian mission.

“This event, organized by the American Jewish Committee, was for young diplomats to engage with an amazing Israeli nongovernmental organization called IsraAID that organizes humanitarian aid all over the world, working in cooperation with Palestinians to support humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Our hearts are with the families and communities of the victims. All human life is precious,” Weingarten continued.

Weingarten condemned the act of violence, emphasizing the need to denounce the antisemitism that fueled such a heinous act: “The blind hatred and antisemitism that led to these murders must be condemned.”

The AFT, which Weingarten leads, is a large union representing 1.8 million professionals, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education faculty, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.