by Jacob Ginsberg
Sarah Milgrim was killed along with her partner as she was leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday, May 21. She was attending an event on getting aid into Gaza. Regardless of the killer’s intentions and beliefs, the heinous act did not accomplish what he wanted to do.
Since she was a little girl, Sarah was always devoted to helping people, animals, and the environment. Her friends said that she “was devoted to promoting peace in Israel.” Before she took her job at the Israeli embassy, she worked for an organization that brought Palestinians and Jews together.
The inhumane conditions in Gaza, where innocent people are being killed in one of the worst genocides we have seen in modern times while the rest of the population is being starved is a tragedy that the peace movement must end. But the suspected individual who was reported shouting, “Free, free Palestine,” did nothing to free it. These murders are not justified simply because the victims worked for the Israeli Embassy.
The peace movement should not condone such senseless violence on innocent people like Sarah. All acts of terrorism, no matter where it comes from, must be condemned. World leaders have used such terrorism to fan Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or other forms of bigotry as a way to give excuses for the violent actions they cause to populations that are already struggling for survival.
We are mourning the loss of Sarah Milgrim, a member of one of our communities. Sarah’s life was taken from her, and we are saddened that she is gone. We want to honor and exemplify Sarah’s legacy to peace between Palestine and Israel so that one day they can live side-by-side in peaceful coexistence.