The DC embassy shooter who killed two Israelis was promoting a radical anti-Zionist group that’s been accused of being a “propaganda arm” for Hamas – and the disturbing connection is raising serious questions about the influence of extremist rhetoric on violence.
At a Glance
- Elias Rodriguez, who murdered two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., had promoted the radical anti-Zionist group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) on social media
- JVP, which calls itself the “world’s largest Jewish organization standing in solidarity with Palestine,” has a documented history of supporting anti-Israel terrorism
- Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine!” during his arrest and retweeted a JVP post about shutting down the Israeli consulate in Chicago
- The National Jewish Advocacy Center has filed a lawsuit against JVP, alleging it serves as a “propaganda arm” for Hamas
- JVP has justified Hamas attacks, celebrating figures linked to terrorism while claiming to be non-violent
When “Jewish” Organizations Promote Anti-Israel Violence
The cold-blooded murder of two Israeli embassy workers outside a DC Jewish museum exposes the dangerous consequences of radical anti-Israel rhetoric permeating our political discourse. Elias Rodriguez, the shooter who gunned down 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky and 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim, didn’t develop his hatred in a vacuum. His social media activity reveals promotion of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), an organization that markets itself as “the world’s largest Jewish organization standing in solidarity with Palestine” while actively supporting groups with terrorist ties.
Rodriguez didn’t hide his motivations, reportedly shouting “Free, free Palestine!” during his arrest. A police raid on his home revealed signs with phrases like “Tikkun Olam Means Free Palestine” – language frequently employed by JVP in their attempts to redefine Jewish religious concepts to justify opposition to Israel’s very existence. The shooter had specifically shared JVP content calling for shutting down the Israeli consulate in Chicago, with the group posting: “Our grief is being used to justify genocidal violence against the people of Gaza. We’re ready to stay here as long as it takes!!!”
A History of Supporting Terrorism While Claiming “Peace”
The absolute hypocrisy of an organization with “peace” in its name having such deep connections to terror advocacy would be laughable if it weren’t so dangerous. JVP has repeatedly justified Hamas attacks against Israeli civilians with statements like: “Israeli apartheid and occupation — and United States complicity in that oppression — are the source of all this violence. Reality is shaped by when you start the clock.” Apparently, in JVP’s twisted worldview, the mass murder, rape, and kidnapping of Israeli civilians on October 7th was just part of “the clock” of justified violence.
“Israeli apartheid and occupation — and United States complicity in that oppression — are the source of all this violence. Reality is shaped by when you start the clock.” – Jewish Voice for Peace.
The organization’s extremism goes far beyond rhetoric. JVP has celebrated figures like Leila Khaled, a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine who participated in multiple airline hijackings. They’ve worked closely with Samidoun, a group with documented ties to Iran. These aren’t mere policy disagreements – this is active collaboration with individuals and organizations committed to violence. The National Jewish Advocacy Center recognized this danger and filed a lawsuit against JVP, accusing them of functioning as a “propaganda arm” for Hamas.
Creating an Environment for Violence
Oren Segal of the Anti-Defamation League hit the nail on the head when he pointed out that groups like JVP have “created an environment that made the tragedy last night more likely.” Despite their claims of non-violence, JVP’s constant drumbeat of demonization creates a permission structure for individuals like Rodriguez to take violent action. When you convince people that Israel is engaged in “genocide” and “apartheid,” you’re effectively suggesting that any action taken against Israelis – even murdering embassy workers – is justifiable resistance against evil.
“What people are hearing is a regular drumbeat: Israel is evil, supporters of Israel are evil, and we need to do anything by any means to fight back,” he said. “And many of them are conflating Jews with the policies of Israel, too.” – Oren Segal.
Of course, when confronted with the logical consequences of their hateful rhetoric, JVP predictably condemned the DC shooting while failing to acknowledge any responsibility for creating the toxic environment that nurtured such violence. Similarly, the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), another radical group Rodriguez was associated with that has celebrated Hamas attacks, rushed to distance themselves by claiming he hadn’t been involved since 2017. These groups want the freedom to spew hatred without accountability for the inevitable consequences.
The Danger of Mainstreaming Extremism
Perhaps most disturbing is how groups like JVP have been normalized in progressive circles. Rodriguez worked for a nonprofit supported by major foundations like Ford and MacArthur. These well-funded organizations provide institutional cover for extremist rhetoric that increasingly crosses the line from protected speech into incitement. While Americans rightfully value freedom of expression, we must recognize when advocacy crosses into dangerous territory that puts lives at risk. JVP and similar groups aren’t engaged in peaceful advocacy – they’re creating an atmosphere where violence against Israelis is justified, expected, and inevitable.
The murder of two innocent Israeli embassy staffers should serve as a wake-up call about the real-world consequences of mainstreaming radical anti-Israel rhetoric. It’s time to hold organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace accountable for their role in creating the toxic environment that’s making violence against Jews and Israelis increasingly common, both in America and worldwide. Words have consequences, and JVP’s words are dripping with blood.
