Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders were criticized Thursday on the U.S. Capitol storm by supporters of President Donald Trump at a hearing at Congress to confirm that Democrat Joe Biden won the November 2020 election.
At a press conference with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Netanyahu – a close ally of the Republican president – noted the unrest in the U.S. capital that culminated in four deaths and 52 arrests as “shame.”
Trump supporters insist on security as they develop to break into the U.S. Capitol
(Photo: Reuters)
“The Capitol Building storm in Washington was embarrassing and deserved all the criticism,” Netanyahu said.
“For generations, American democracy has been an inspiration to the world and to Israel. This violent conflict is completely different from the values that Americans and Israelis hold. I have no doubt that American democracy gets the upper hand – as it always has. “
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the White House presentation of the Mideast peace plan
(Photo: EPA)
Competitors criticized Netanyahu for allowing him to comment on the riot. The prime minister was also criticized for being difficult to comment on when the U.S. media expected Biden to be the next president. Donald Trump has been controversial over the decisions, raising claims of widespread voter turnout and lowering the scale in favor of the former Delaware senator.
“I was shocked to see the invasion of the American Congress, the global movement of democracy, and this must be completely condemned from sunrise to sunset,” Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said. The United States, our good friend, is a beacon for democracy and for the values of freedom, justice and independence. “
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi
(Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
“I am confident that the American people and their elected representatives will know how to stop this attack and continue to defend the values on which the United States is founded,” he said.
New Hope director Gideon Sa’ar said the images coming from Washington DC illustrate the dangers of the polarization and fragility of democracy.
“I was saddened to see the photos from Washington DC last night. Order has been renewed and I am confident that a transfer of power will be in order in the United States, our world’s greatest friend,” said Sa’ar on Twitter.
“The events are an important reminder of the dangers of polarization and terrorism in society. We can never take democracy and its institutions for granted. “
Yesh Atid director Yair Lapid
(Photo: Kobi Koanes)
“I am deeply disturbed by the images from the United States,” Yesh Atid leader and Chairman Yair Lapid said on Twitter. “My thoughts are with all my friends in Washington tonight. We hope to see an order back and a power transfer completed. America must return to being a role model for democracies around the world. “
Israeli Party Leader and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai lambasted Netanyahu for keeping a mother on the events in the U.S. capital.
“It’s not by chance that Netanyahu is not responding to the horrific events in Washington,” Huldai said.
Israeli Party leader and Mayor of Tel Aviv Ron Huldai
(Photo: Moti Kimchi)
“In the mind of Netanyahu, [he] more important than the state. Israel will also have a change of government. Israelis will know how to do it right. Democracy always wins. “
Huldai also said the front of Tel Aviv town hall will be illuminated by the U.S. flag Thursday afternoon to “strengthen and honor the Free Land and Home of the Brave.”