Those are the two words which have been echoing in my mind since I first heard of the act of violent terror which took the lives of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky in Washington DC last evening. There are no words which can adequately convey the sense of loss, of horror and of, quite frankly, fear that their murder has left me and so many others with.

I am a firm believer in free speech and have supported the right of people to protest against the government of Israel and the war in Gaza. I have added my voice to those within Israel and the Jewish community throughout the world who have been calling for an end to the attacks on civilians in Gaza and increased concern for the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, especially children.

However, when those protesting call for violence, it can not longer be defended as free speech. When words call for the destruction of Israel, those words can not be merely ignored. And, when, as we saw last night, violent words turn to violent actions, horrible tragedy results and all of us are endangered.

We have been watching and speaking and writing about increased anti-Semitism in this nation and throughout the world and this horrendous act of terror brings that concern to a new level here in the United States.

I am waiting to hear those who are adamantly and passionately standing up for the rights of Palestinians reject and condemn this act of terror. I pray that this terrible tragedy will cause everyone, on all sides, to lower the volume, stand back from extremism and seek ways to direct their passion to constructive acts of humanity and peace.

May Sarah and Yaron’s memory be for a blessing.