Leaders from North America, Europe, and the Middle East have made statements.
After an attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Saturday, several foreign leaders have voiced their support for the victims and sent their condolences to a grieving United States.
What follows is a running chronological list of foreign leaders who have commented on the Pittsburgh shooting that killed multiple people and injured at least six, including at least four law enforcement officers.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chimed in hours after the shooting, saying the Jewish community “endured a horrific anti-Semitic attack while at prayer.”
Canadians’ hearts are with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh today, as they endured a horrific anti-Semitic attack while at prayer. May the families of those murdered be comforted, and may the injured recover quickly and fully.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 27, 2018
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, tweeted out a 24-second video of his stern message. “I was heartbroken and appalled by the murderous attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue today,” he said. “The entire people of Israel grieve with the families of the dead.”
I was heartbroken and appalled by the murderous attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue today: pic.twitter.com/NBMO31lMU2
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) October 27, 2018
About an hour later, French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted his Pittsburgh message.
“Sadness and thoughts for the victims of the Pittsburgh shooting,” Macron said in French. “We are with the American people, as they are once again plunged into mourning.”
Tristesse et pensées pour celles et ceux qui sont tombés à Pittsburgh lors de la fusillade. Nous sommes avec le peuple américain, une nouvelle fois endeuillé.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 27, 2018
One minute later, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said she was “deeply shocked” by the attack and that Britain’s “thoughts are with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and all those affected by this sickening and cowardly act.”
“I’m deeply shocked by the reports of a shooting at a synagogue in the US today. Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and all those affected by this sickening and cowardly act.” – PM @theresa_may
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) October 27, 2018
Frans Timmermans, a Dutch politician who is a top European Union official, called the shooting a “vile attack.”
Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh after the vile attack today. #Antisemitism comes in many guises, starting with words and ending with deadly violence. The hatred must stop. And we must all continue to speak out against it.
— Frans Timmermans (@TimmermansEU) October 27, 2018
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, through a spokesperson, said in a statement that he “is deeply shocked and strongly condemns the shooting.” He calls for a “united front…to roll back racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of hatred, bigotry, discrimination and xenophobia gaining strength in many parts of the world,” the spokesperson said.
Secretary-General @antonioguterres strongly condemns the shooting today at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh in the US. Anti-Semitism is a menace to democratic values & peace & should have no place in the 21st century: https://t.co/gFLtcjosz6
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) October 27, 2018
Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement that “We have to stand up to antisemitism always and everywhere.”
Foreign Minister @HeikoMaas: “The dead of #Pittsburgh have apparently fallen victim to brutal antisemitic violence. We are shocked but we will not be silenced: We have to stand up to antisemitism always and everywhere. My thoughts are with the victims and their families.”
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) October 27, 2018
Secretary-General @antonioguterres strongly condemns the shooting today at the Tree of Life Congregation synagogue in Pittsburgh in the US. Anti-Semitism is a menace to democratic values & peace & should have no place in the 21st century: https://t.co/gFLtcjosz6
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) October 27, 2018
This post will update as additional foreign leaders comment on the Pittsburgh shooting.
Author: Alex Ward
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