You Were So Right for It: A Farewell to Yaron Lischinsky, Slain in the Line of Duty

Yaron,

I first met you – and that modest, half-shy smile of yours – in September 2018, on orientation day for graduate students in Asian Studies at the Hebrew University. You were set to study Japan; I was headed for China.

We argued then about when exactly the historical rift between Japan and China had formed, and who benefits from keeping it alive. We spoke of your Zionism, which had led you to immigrate alone – a young teenager – from Germany to Israel.

We shared our dreams, our plans for the future.

You, a Zionist and a patriot, wanted to become an Israeli diplomat. I smiled inwardly: that’s the exact dream of nearly every international relations student – five hundred of them each year – while the number of positions in Israel’s Foreign Service is painfully small.

Out loud, I said: Wow, that’s a fantastic idea. It suits you perfectly. You’re so right for it.

And you were. Brilliant, gifted, deeply knowledgeable, articulate, humble, modest – and always smiling, just a little shy.

Everyone who knew you admired you – and loved you. It was impossible not to.

You already represented Israel with grace and pride during your studies, through your work in the Model UN program.

When we last met, at the graduation ceremony, you told me you’d been accepted into the Foreign Ministry and were moving to Washington, D.C. I was happy. Twice over: happy for your success – and happy for us, to be represented by you.

Last night, that shining promise – and that half-shy smile – were extinguished.

Murdered. In cold blood.

Together with your beautiful partner, Sarah – whom I was meant to meet in just two weeks – while serving your country abroad. In the line of duty.

Yaron, You represented your people your people in death, just as you did in life. You represented us with your wandering-Jew story. You represented us with your brilliance. With your sharp mind and your love of learning. With your quiet goodness and your pursuit of peace. With your unshakable conviction in the justice of our cause. And yes – you represented us, too, in your cruel, brutal, antisemitic death.

That too – that too is part of the story of our people. You represent your people in your senseless, devastating death, just as you did so fully in your life. And oh, my dear – you were so right for it.

May you rest in peace.