Middle East allies, adversaries condemn 'disgrace' at US Capitol
Leaders across the region responded with alarm to the violence that unfolded at the US Capitol.
The unprecedented scenes of violence in Washington on Wednesday drew a mix of shock, sadness and thinly veiled schadenfreude in the Middle East, with adversaries and allies alike condemning what many described as an assault on American democracy.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the rampage “a disgraceful act.” The Israeli leader, who has enjoyed a warm relationship with outgoing President Donald Trump, spoke alongside US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was in Jerusalem.
“American democracy will prevail. It always has,” Netanyahu said.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz tweeted, "The photos from Washington hurt the heart of anyone who believes in democracy.” Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi tweeted he was "shocked" by the attack on the world’s “beacon of democracy.”
