Israeli opposition leader says “America needs to go back to being a role model’; no response from PM; GOP head in Israel ‘ashamed,’ but says Trump not to blame
Jan.7, 2021
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said Wednesday night he was “deeply saddened and shocked” by the violence at the US Capitol after supporters of US President Donald Trump, egged on by the president himself, stormed the building.
“My thoughts are with all my friends in Washington tonight. We hope to see order restored and the transition of power completed,” Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid party, wrote on Twitter in the first reaction of an Israeli politician to the scenes in Washington.
“America needs to go back to being a role model for democracies across the world,” Lapid said.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the images being broadcast from Washington “hurt the heart of anyone who believes in democracy.”
“I never believed I would see such images from the world’s most powerful democracy,” Gantz said. “This is proof that before political rivalry, we must agree on the rules of the game: maintaining the rule of law, respect for the democratic process and respectful dialogue. I hope this horrific event will come to an end soon, without any casualties.”
There was no response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several hours after the events began.
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