World leaders react to Trump rally shooting

AFP , Ahram Online , Sunday 14 Jul 2024

World leaders reacted with shock to the wounding of Donald Trump in an assassination attempt against the former US president at an election rally.

Trump
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is covered by U.S. Secret Service agents at a campaign rally. AP

 

Presidents and prime ministers globally spoke out against political violence and expressed their support for those affected by the shooting on Saturday, which killed one bystander and left two other spectators critically wounded.

Europe
 

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday she was "deeply shocked" by the shooting at rally by Donald Trump in which the former US president was wounded and a bystander killed.

"I am deeply shocked by the shooting that took place during former President Trump's campaign rally," the European Commission president said on X, formerly Twitter. "I wish Donald Trump a speedy recovery and offer my condolences to the family of the innocent victim. Political violence has no place in a democracy," she said.

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the attack.

"Once again, we are witnessing unacceptable acts of violence against political representatives," the bloc's top diplomat said.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he was "appalled by the shocking scenes" at the rally.

"Political violence in any form has no place in our societies," the premier said.

Referring to "these dark hours", Hungary's nationalist leader Viktor Orban offered his "thoughts and prayers" to Trump.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday wished Donald Trump a "speedy recovery", calling the assassination attempt on the former US president "a tragedy".

"This is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people," Macron said on social media platform X.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she was "following with apprehension" updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery.

The right-wing leader expressed her hope that "in the following months of the electoral campaign, dialogue and responsibility can prevail over hate and violence."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said he was "appalled to learn about the shooting" and wished Trump a "speedy recovery".

"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he said.

Moscow called on the United States Sunday to "take stock" of its "policies of incitement to hatred", while using the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to denounce support for Kyiv.

Addressing "those who vote in the United States to supply arms" to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova denounced support for Kyiv, which she said stoked "attacks against the Russian president". Perhaps it would be better to use this money to fund the American police and other services that are supposed to ensure law and order in the United States?" she added.

Americas
 

Argentina's President Javier Milei blamed the "international left" after the assassination attempt.

"In panic of losing at the polls, they resort to terrorism to impose their backward and authoritarian agenda," said the populist president.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the shooting "must be strongly condemned by all defenders of democracy and political dialogue."

Costa Rica's government condemned the attack and said it was following updates on "this unacceptable act".

"As a leader in democracy and peace, we reject all forms of violence," the presidency said.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric expressed his "unqualified condemnation" of the shooting.

"Violence is a threat to democracies and weakens our life together. We must all reject it," said Boric.

In Bolivia, President Luis Arce said "despite our deep ideological and political differences, violence, wherever it comes from, must always be rejected by everyone."

Asia Pacific
 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was "deeply concerned by the attack on my friend."

"Violence has no place in politics and democracies," said Modi.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also spoke out against political attacks, saying "we must stand firm against any form of violence that challenges democracy."

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te offered his "sincere condolences" to the shooting victims.

"Political violence of any form is never acceptable in our democracies," he said.

Australia's Anthony Albanese said he was "shocked by the terrible scenes" at the Trump campaign event, expressing his relief that the former US president was safe.

"This was an inexcusable attack on the democratic values that Australians and Americans share and the freedom that we treasure," Albanese said.

New Zealand's Prime Minister Chris Luxon echoed these views, writing "no country should encounter such political violence."

Middle East
 

The Spokesman for the Egyptian President posted on Facebook, that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi followed anxiously the developments, and wished for a speedy recovery for the former President and nominee Donald Trump.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he and his wife Sara "were shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump".

"We pray for his safety and speedy recovery," Netanyahu said.

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