Murdered Israeli Embassy Staffer Lost Many Close Friends Who Accused Her of ‘Being Complicit in Genocide’
Shiryn Ghermezian
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim who were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, pose for a picture at an unknown location, in this handout image released by Embassy of Israel to the US on May 22, 2025. Photo: Embassy of Israel to the USA via X/Handout via REUTERS
The public diplomacy team at the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, where Sarah Lynn Milgrim worked until she was murdered in an antisemitic terrorist attack last week, said the American-Jewish native of Overland Park, Kansas, had a fallout with many close friends because of her job at the embassy.
Sawsan Hasson is head of the public diplomacy department at the Israeli embassy and was Milgrim’s supervisor. On Saturday, Hasson shared a lengthy post in memory of Milgrim, 26, on her LinkedIn page that was signed by the entire public diplomacy team. In the post, Milgrim is first described as a lover of animals and nature who “possessed a wisdom far beyond her years, coupled with an effortless charm that made people feel instantly seen and valued.” The post then revealed details about how Milgrim’s job at the embassy resulted in her losing a number of friendships with those who accused Israel of “genocide.”
Milgrim joined the public diplomacy department at the Israeli embassy in Washington soon after the Hamas-led deadly terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“When she made the decision to join the embassy team, she went through an incredibly difficult period,” read the LinkedIn post. “Many of her closest friends turned their backs on her. They accused her of being complicit in genocide, implied she was a terrible person for accepting the role, and ultimately cut off all contact.”
“But Sarah stood firm. She knew exactly who she was and what she believed in. She was a peacemaker,” the post added. “Her commitment to peace and diplomacy also led her to work closely with the US administration. Sarah was a respected voice in policy discussions, where she built bridges between communities and advocated for mutual understanding. She brought knowledge, empathy, and conviction to every room she entered — always with the goal of building a better future.”
Milgrim “rebuilt her life” and “soon formed an entirely new circle of friends” after joining the staff at the Israeli embassy, according to the LinkedIn post. She was “unapologetically herself,” lived by the Jewish concept of being a “light unto the nations,” and made it her mission “to bring light to those who were ostracized for their pro-Israel views.”
Milgrim and 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky — her soon-to-be fiancé and colleague at the Israeli embassy — were both gunned down as they were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, on May 21. Lischinsky, who was Christian, planned to propose to Milgrim this week during their trip to Israel for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, according to Israeli Ambassador to the US Yechiel Leiter. Lischinsky worked in the embassy’s political department.
The lone gunman, who law enforcement identified as 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez from Chicago, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, the murder of foreign officials, causing death through the use of a firearm, and using a firearm during a violent crime. Officials said additional charges may be added. Rodriguez shouted “Free Palestine” before he was arrested at the scene soon after the shooting and the Justice Department is investigating the attack as both an act of terrorism and a hate crime, according to Jeanine Pirro, the interim top federal prosecutor in Washington.
“This brutal, antisemitic violence has no place in our country or anywhere in civilization,” added Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We will follow the facts and secure the most severe possible punishment for the perpetrator of this heinous crime, which robbed two wonderful young people of a bright future together.”
“Make no mistake: This attack was targeted, antisemitic violence,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven Jensen. “The FBI will continue to pursue all leads and use all available resources to investigate this heinous murder.”
Milgrim was an environmental activist who advocated for climate and sustainability issues as well as LGBTQ+ rights. She also worked with women’s rights groups and minorities “and was deeply committed to advancing rights for people with disabilities,” according to the public diplomacy department at the Israeli embassy. A week before her murder, she co-organized an Earth Day event that featured Israeli environmental nonprofit leaders, according to a blog post written by Milgrim’s friend.
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