Continued atrocities in Gaza spark anger even among non-Muslims?
The murder of two Israelis in the US capital — apparently by a non-Muslim activist — has raised questions about growing frustration in the West over atrocities in Gaza
THE WORLDVIEW
May 22, 2025
ONE often wonders whether the unrelenting atrocities inflicted daily upon the people of Occupied Gaza Strip since October 2023 have meaningfully altered public opinion among non-Muslims living in the West. While we occasionally see protesters disrupting official events or seminars in Western countries — often shouting “Free, free Palestine” — it is difficult to gauge the depth of their conviction.
Could a non-Muslim pro-Palestinian activist ever be so committed to the cause that they would risk their own life? Until last night, I had no answer to that question. Then came the news that two Israeli embassy staff had been shot dead in Washington, DC. While he was being arrested, the suspect reportedly shouted: “Free, free Palestine.”
The incident is profoundly tragic — the lives of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and her fiancé, Yaron Lischinsky, were cut short, brutally and without warning. Yet it starkly illustrates the intensity of anger felt by some individuals in the West over the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
According to police, both victims were employees of the Israeli embassy. The alleged gunman, Elias Rodriguez, a 30-year-old Chicago native, is not a practising Muslim, nor has he shown any known links to religious extremism. This challenges common assumptions and underscores how deeply the Gaza crisis resonates across diverse communities.
The Jerusalem Post reports that Rodriguez has been affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation — a far-left, Marxist, pro-Palestine organisation. As he was taken into custody, Rodriguez shouted: “Free, free Palestine.” An eyewitness told the news outlet: “He pulls out his keffiyeh and says, ‘I did it. I did it for Gaza. Free, free Palestine’.”
Rodriguez is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in English. He is currently employed as an administration specialist at the American Osteopathic Information Association. His previous roles include work with The HistoryMakers, a non-profit that preserves African-American oral history, and with Coupon Cabin as a Senior Content Associate and Training Coordinator.
Rodriguez’s LinkedIn profile lists only eight connections and no recent activity. When this report was being filed, US outlet 7News had found no prior record of criminal activity. His religious views remain unclear, though his name suggests he is likely Christian.
A clarification is warranted here: this publication unequivocally condemns all forms of violence and extremism. We do not, in any way, endorse or condone the murder of two individuals in protest against the Gaza conflict, regardless of the motive.
This report does not seek to glorify the suspect. Rather, it aims to highlight that the crisis in Gaza has reached such a scale that even those outside the Muslim community have reacted in ways both extreme and tragic.