By Ameh Gabriel
Two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in the United States were shot dead on Wednesday during an incident at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., sparking heightened concerns over security at Jewish institutions across the country.
According to U.S. media reports, the Israeli Ambassador was not present at the museum during the shooting. Georgetown University’s D.C. campus, located nearby, was placed on temporary lockdown as a precautionary measure. Students were confined to their buildings for over an hour as authorities responded to the incident.
“When we went to leave, the cops and security were downstairs and told us we couldn’t,” one student recounted, describing the tense atmosphere on campus.
The Capital Jewish Museum, the site of the shooting, has recently been navigating increased security threats amid a rise in antisemitic incidents across the U.S. Beatrice Gurwitz, the museum’s Executive Director, had earlier spoken to NBC News about ongoing security concerns—particularly in light of a new exhibit celebrating LGBTQ+ pride.
“Jewish institutions all around town, all around the country, are concerned about security due to some very scary incidents and a climate of antisemitism,” Gurwitz said in an earlier interview. “We recognize that there are threats associated with this as well, and we want to ensure our space remains welcoming and secure for all.”
Following the incident, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the attack on X (formerly Twitter), describing it as a “horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning.”
As investigations continue, law enforcement has yet to confirm whether the attack was politically or hate-motivated. Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
