We are horrified, heartbroken, and outraged by the murders of Yaron and Sarah, two staff members of the Israeli Embassy, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., as they attended a Jewish Young Professionals event. This young couple was just beginning their lives together when their futures were tragically cut short by this senseless act of violence.

That this attack occurred outside a Jewish American Heritage Month event—an occasion meant to celebrate Jewish identity—casts an especially dark shadow over a time intended to honor and uplift our community.

While details are still emerging, what is already clear is that this horrific act is part of a broader campaign to dehumanize Jews. It follows 18 months in which rhetoric promoting violence against our community has been tolerated—if not outright enabled—in some corners of public discourse.

Our hearts are with the staff of the Israeli Embassy, our colleagues at the American Jewish Committee and the Capital Jewish Museum, and all those affected by this tragedy. We extend our deepest prayers to the victims’ families and to our partners and friends representing Israel at embassies and consulates across the country.

May the memories of Yaron and Sarah be a blessing—and a call to action to confront and combat antisemitism wherever it exists.