It is devastating to wake up to news of the murder of two young Israeli Embassy staff members at the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C.

This senseless act of violence at an event for young Jewish professionals and diplomats is unjustifiable and terrifying. In the wake of this attack, many Jews are fearful of gathering in Jewish communal spaces and being visible as Jews. Through our grief, we wrestle with the added fear that these murders will be used to justify further acts of violence and state repression. 

When we allow our hearts to harden to such an extent that we shrug off acts of violence and treat someone’s identity as grounds to deny their humanity, we lose our own humanity in the process. This is true when we dehumanize Palestinians, and when we dehumanize Israelis. Neither is acceptable.

Baruch dayan ha’emet. May Sarah and Yaron’s memories be a blessing. We didn’t know Sarah, but in her own words, she was passionate about building peace. May this horrific act of violence not be used to deter this precious goal. May we fight harder: for the peace that is so very far away, for a permanent ceasefire and end to the genocide; for immediate aid to Gaza; the release of the hostages; and an end to antisemitism, racism, violence, and dehumanization. We implore all people of conscience to join us in both our mourning and these urgent calls to action.

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Jews For Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ) is a 6,000-member grassroots organization and the home of New York’s Jewish Left. For over 30 years, JFREJ members have organized alongside our neighbors to transform New York from a playground for the wealthy few into a real democracy, free from all forms of racist violence.