Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog were among a chorus of world leaders expressing shock and condemning political violence on Sunday after a gunman stormed the lobby outside a Washington, DC, gala attended by US President Donald Trump and other top officials.
The gunman, who is believed to have opened fire, was tackled by security before entering the ballroom where the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner was being held Saturday night. Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, US Vice President JD Vance and the other attendees were not harmed. A police officer wearing a bulletproof vest was shot and is expected to recover.
Netanyahu condemned the attack as an assassination attempt on the US president.
“Sara and I were shocked by the attempted assassination of President [Donald Trump] last night in Washington, DC,” the prime minister posted on X. “We are relieved that the President and the First Lady are safe and strong. We send our wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the wounded police officer and salute the US Secret Service for their swift and decisive action.”
US officials have not said that Trump was the target of the gunman. However, the suspect reportedly told law enforcement following his arrest that he wanted to shoot Trump administration officials.
Herzog wrote that he was “relieved” that Trump and the other guests at the White House correspondents’ dinner were safe, and that the injured officer was “safe and on the path of recovery.”
“From the Holy Land, we pray for the safety and security of the United States of America and its leaders after this heinous attack,” Herzog posted on X on Sunday.
Other world leaders also condemned the incident.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday that he was “shocked” by the shooting, adding it was “a huge relief” that Trump and others were unharmed.
“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Starmer wrote on X.
Starmer sent a message Sunday to Trump “in solidarity for the events that took place,” senior minister Darren Jones told UK broadcasters during a round of interviews.
The shooting came less than 48 hours before the UK’s King Charles III arrives in the US for a state visit. He will visit Washington and New York during the four-day trip alongside Queen Camilla, which will see the royals have tea with Trump and first lady Melania and attend a state dinner.
Jones said the British government and Buckingham Palace took the security of King Charles “very seriously,” with extensive discussions already underway that would continue over the coming days.
“In respect of His Majesty’s visit to the United States next week… our security services obviously remain in close cooperation in advance of that,” Jones added.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “relieved that the President, the First Lady, and all guests are safe.”
“Political violence has no place in any democracy and my thoughts are with all those who have been shaken by this disturbing event,” Carney wrote on X.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on X that “it is good that President Trump and his wife are safe following the recent events. We send them our respect.” She added, “Violence must never be the way.”
French President Emmanuel Macron posted, “The armed attack targeting the President of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy. I extend my full support to Donald Trump.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed her “full solidarity and most sincere closeness” to Trump and the other attendees at the dinner.
“No political hatred can find space in our democracies. We will not allow fanaticism to poison the places of free debate and information,” she added.
Spain’s prime minister condemned what he called “the attack that took place tonight against” Trump.
“Violence is never the answer. Humanity will only move forward through democracy, coexistence, and peace,” Sanchez wrote on X.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Sunday on X that “political violence has no place in a democracy.”
Kallas said she was “relieved” there were no casualties, adding: “An event meant to honor a free press should never become a scene of fear.”
And Hungary’s outgoing prime minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, said, “There’s no place for violence in politics.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote that he was grateful the Trumps and Vance are “safe and unharmed.”
“I extend my best wishes for their continued safety and well-being. Violence has no place in a democracy and must be unequivocally condemned,” Modi wrote on X.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif wrote he was “deeply shocked by the disturbing shooting incident.”
“Relieved to know that President Trump, the First Lady, and other attendees are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him continued safety and well-being,” Sharif wrote on X.
