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.
Foreign leaders are “appalled” at the Pittsburgh shooting
Leaders from North America, Europe, and the Middle East have made statements.
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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Frans Timmermans, a Dutch politician who is a top European Union official, called the shooting a “vile attack.”
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.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in a statement that “We have to stand up to antisemitism always and everywhere.”
This post will update as additional foreign leaders comment on the Pittsburgh shooting.
By Tara Isabella Burton
