Top political leaders from around the world responded to the tragic terrorist attack in Germany on Friday night that was committed by a Saudi refugee.
The man, a 50-year-old doctor, took his car and allegedly mowed down more than 200 people who were on a packed street. Police believe that the motive is likely his anger toward Germany for not being even more friendly toward refugees than they already are.
“The United States extends our deepest condolences to the people of Germany grieving the terrible attack at a Christmas market yesterday in Magdeburg, Germany,” said President Joe Biden. “No community—and no family—should have to endure such a despicable and dark event, especially just days before a holiday of joy and peace.”
Biden claimed that his administration, which has seen an explosion in terrorism around the world under this watch, was committed to fighting “violent terror.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that he was “horrified by the atrocious attack in Magdeburg tonight.”
“My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected,” he added. “We stand with the people of Germany.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said that he was “deeply shocked by the horror” of the attack.
“My thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their loved ones,” he said. “France shares the pain of the German people and expresses its full solidarity.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the “brutal” terrorist attack was carried out against a “defenseless crowd at the Christmas market in Magdeburg.”
“I stand with the entire government, the families of the victims, the injured and all the German people,” she added. “Violence must have no place in our democracies.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack “cowardly.”
“This act of violence must be investigated and severely punished,” she added.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack after the country had repeatedly warned Germany that the suspect was a dangerous threat to their country.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the run-over incident that occurred in a market in the city of Magdeburg in the Federal Republic of Germany, which resulted in the death and injury of a number of people, expressing its solidarity with the German people and the families of the victims,” Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X.
