Sisi, Abbas lead MENA reactions to Trump shooting

Leaders around the Middle East and North Africa have expressed concern and solidarity on Sunday over an assassination attempt targeting former US President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania.

The attack on the Republican Party’s presumptive nominee for the 2024 election left one attendee dead and critically injured two others, with many condemning the violence that shocked the world.

Trump’s campaign said the ex-president was doing “fine” after being whisked off the stage though the shooting pierced the upper part of his right ear.

The Secret Service said it killed the suspected shooter who attacked from an elevated position outside the rally venue.

The New Arab looks at the different reactions from around the MENA region.

Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sissi expressed concern and stressed his country's condemnation of the attack in a statement.

“I express my wishes for Trump's speedy recovery and for the US election campaigns to be resumed in a peaceful and healthy atmosphere, free of any aspects of terrorism, violence, or hatred,” he said.

Sisi, who Trump once referred to as his “favourite dictator”, further called the Pennsylvania shooting a “treacherous act”.

Israel

At the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he watched “in horror,” adding that the attack was also an “assassination attempt on American democracy.”

He said everyone in Israel was sending Trump “a quick recovery and return to full strength.”

Iraq

Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, condemned the attack “in the strongest terms,” saying on X his thoughts are with the victims of “this senseless act of terrorism.”

Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination attempt on X, offering his good wishes to Trump, his family and supporters.

He said he believed “the investigation into the attack will be conducted effectively” so as not to undermine the US elections.

Bahrain

The Bahrain News Agency (BNA) quoted a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying, the ministry affirmed that the assassination attempt is a crime that contravenes democratic principles. The ministry wished the former president health and safety, and that the US election campaigns would continue in peace, without any form of violence and terrorism.

The ministry expressed the Kingdom’s solidarity with the United States and highlighted the long-standing relations between the two nations. It also extended wishes for a speedy recovery to those injured and expressed hopes for continued security, stability, and prosperity for the American people.

Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump, expressing his hopes for a swift recovery.

In a statement released today, the President stated, "We condemn this act of terror and reaffirm the positions of the State of Palestine, which has always rejected violence, terrorism, and extremism, regardless of its source."

UAE

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack on Trump, describing it as “a criminal and extremist act.”

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also posted on his X account, writing "We stand in solidarity with former US President Donald Trump and those affected by the Pennsylvania incident. The UAE condemns in the strongest terms all forms of violence and terrorism."

Qatar

Qatar condemned the attack and sent well wishes for Trump's health. It reiterated its “firm position rejecting violence and criminal acts, including political assassinations, regardless of the motives and reasons.”