The killing of two Israelis in D.C. was called an act of terror
A suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, was charged with first-degree murder and other crimes after the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington late Wednesday. Rodriguez had a history of pro-Palestinian activism, U.S. officials said, and he declared “Free, free Palestine” after he had been detained. Here’s what we know about him.
Officials said the gunman had approached four people who were leaving an event at a Jewish museum, shot the two victims and then entered the museum, where he was detained by security officers. He was filmed on surveillance video walking past the two victims, then turning to face their backs, firing several times and firing more shots after they fell to the ground, according to an F.B.I. affidavit filed yesterday.
The F.B.I. director referred to the killings as an act of terror. The shooting occurred outside the Capital Jewish Museum, where the American Jewish Committee was hosting a reception for young diplomats. Here’s the latest.
The victims: Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, were a couple. She was a research assistant in the embassy’s political department, and he organized trips to Israel. Lischinsky had just bought an engagement ring.
Aid deliveries began to reach Gazans
The first substantial influx of food aid since Israel’s blockade began two months ago entered Gaza yesterday, the U.N. said. About 90 truckloads of aid — which U.N. officials called a tiny fraction of what’s needed — reached the territory after days of delays, the U.N. and Israel confirmed.
The U.N. agency that coordinates humanitarian relief said Israel had required its trucks to take an extremely perilous route. U.N. officials believed looting was “highly likely” unless the plans were changed, the agency said. Israel’s refusal to let food and fuel into Gaza has led to widespread hunger.
The latest: Yesterday, some bakeries resumed production for the first time since April 2, the head of the Gaza Bakers Association said. Large crowds rushed to get bread, raising concerns for bakery workers’ safety, he added.
Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu named a new leader for the country’s domestic intelligence service, the Shin Bet, after clashing with the last one.
After living through decades of brutal apartheid and the inequality that persists, watching the Trump administration cast Afrikaners — the white descendants of the colonizers responsible for apartheid — as victims has been infuriating, Black South Africans said.
Diplomacy: President Cyril Ramaphosa walked away from his White House meeting with Trump bruised and uncertain about his country’s relationship with the U.S. At the meeting, Trump presented a video that he claimed showed “burial sites” of white farmers in South Africa. (It didn’t.)
For more: Who is Julius Malema, the South African politician who was prominent in the video that Trump played?
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Scarlett Johansson wins over critics, conveys Old Hollywood glamour and — now — directs feature films.
At the Cannes Film Festival, which ends this weekend, Johansson presented her feature debut, “Eleanor the Great.” She told our chief film critic, Manohla Dargis, that despite a long career in front of the camera, she always thought she would end up behind it. Read their conversation.
Lives lived: Simon Mann, a former British commando who sought to overthrow the leader of Equatorial Guinea, died at 72.
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ARTS AND IDEAS
It’s almost summer book season
The next few months are looking good for nonfiction fans and lovers of literature.
Prizewinning writers are tackling engaging subjects, like how streetwear became high fashion and what a meal with King Tut might have smelled like. If memoirs are more your thing, there are yarns about celibacy, spycraft and the risqué misadventures of an aspiring chef in London. Here’s the full list. We’ve also selected 31 new novels for you to choose from, featuring stories about queer vampires, a professor in hell and an actress’s revenge.
Watch Gilbert Cruz, our Book Review editor, preview four new books he’s looking forward to.
