AVENTURA, FLA. (WSVN) - - A concerned and saddened community came together in Aventura to mourn the young couple who was shot and killed outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C.
7News cameras captured a speaker addressing about 100 attendees at a memorial held at The Shoppes at The Waterways, Friday evening.
People gathered to remember the two staffers at the Israeli Embassy in the nation’s capital who, authorities said, were murdered while leaving a reception for young diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum, Wednesday night.
“Our community needs to come together, in pain and sorrow, because we care,” said Aventura City Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland.
The victims were identified as 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky and 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim.
According to Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Lischinsky had bought an engagement ring and was going to propose to Milgrim during an upcoming trip to Jerusalem.
“Two young people had their whole lives in front of them. It’s just terrible,” said Scott Kaufman, president of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, was taken into custody shortly after. Video shows the 31-year-old shouting “Free, free Palestine” as he was taken away.
City leaders at the memorial in Aventura said they are uniting against hate and offered words of strength and encouragement during this difficult time.
“We condemn all forms of bigotry. We condemn antisemitism,” said a speaker at the event.
Federal authorities said that after his arrest, Rodriguez told police, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.” He faces federal murder charges for what the FBI said was an act of terror and a hate crime.
“It’s very sad so see that it’s transferring over here to the United States,” said an attendee.
“This man, this violent, crazy man had no reason to attack these two innocent lives except for hatred,” said Friedland.
The memorial was organized by Aventura-Cares, a nonprofit that was co-founded by Friedland. Speaking with 7News before the event got underway, she said the murders took place amid a chilling global and national uptick in antisemitism.
“We are gathering because hate and antisemitism took over the world, in Washington, D.C., two days ago, and we are coming to unte against hate,” said Friedland. “If this can happen in Washington, it can happen anywhere in the world, and we have to stand tall and let our elected officials know to stand up and fight against this, to protect everybody.”
“This is a direct result of some of the language that has been used for the last year and a half that, you know, if you repeat the lies enough, accusing Jews falsely of genocide and things like that, it empowers people to do crazy things,” said Kaufman.
Speakers at the memorial reiterated the message that “Aventura stands with Israel and condemns all forms of hate.” The event wrapped up before the sun went down.
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