Expressing Outrage Over Killing of Jews ‘Out of Hatred’ in Pittsburgh
Following a massacre at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, Germany’s Chancellor has called for a global fight against antisemitism. The UN Secretary-General has also strongly condemned the incident. Donald Trump said the perpetrator of this massacre should be sentenced to death.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, condemned the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre and called for concerted action by the international community against antisemitism. Steffen Seibert, spokesman for the German government, wrote on Twitter quoting the chancellor: “I mourn the victims who were brutally murdered in Pittsburgh, clearly victims of blind, antisemitic hatred. All of us must seriously combat antisemitism—everywhere.”
António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, also expressed condolences to the families of Pittsburgh victims and emphasized that in the 21st century, antisemitism should have no place to manifest itself.
The World Jewish Congress also strongly condemned the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre. Ronald Lauder, president of the congress, called the incident a “despicable hate attack” and said: “This was not only an attack on the Jewish community, but an attack on all of America.”
Donald Trump, President of the United States, described the Pittsburgh massacre as “an attack on humanity” and said the “deadly poison of antisemitism” must be eliminated. He called for the death sentence for the perpetrator of the massacre and said: “Whoever does such a thing to innocent people in a temple or church should pay the ultimate price.”
The US President in his remarks considered the use of armed guards and security at religious ceremonies effective and added: “If there had been an armed guard inside the synagogue, they could have stopped him [the attacker].”
In this incident that occurred on Saturday at the “Tree of Life” synagogue in Pittsburgh, 11 people were killed and six were injured. The attacker was a 46-year-old man named Robert Bowers, who is now in custody and has been charged with 29 counts. Preliminary investigations show he had the necessary permits to own firearms.
Writings by this person on a social network show he held antisemitic and racist views and was among opponents of Trump and his policies. According to reports, Bowers shouted while entering the synagogue: “All Jews must be killed.”
The Pittsburgh massacre has been classified by US judicial authorities as a hate crime.
Source: DW
