Law enforcement agents stand near the stage of a campaign rally after an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

By Lauren Markoe July 13, 2024

After Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, Jewish leaders joined others around the world in condemning the shooting and all acts of political violence. Officials said that Trump suffered only a minor injury, while  the district attorney of Butler County, where the attack occurred, reported that at least one bystander had been killed in the incident, and that law enforcement officers had killed the shooter. 

Here are some what prominent Jewish figures had to say, starting with Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania:

Ivanka Trump, the former president’s Jewish daughter

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York

“I am horrified by what happened at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania and relieved that former President Trump is safe. Political violence has no place in our country.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, Unaffiliated-Vermont

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona

Gabrielle Giffords, a Jewish former congresswoman who survived an assassination attempt, suggested that the attack triggered memories of that event.

“Political violence is terrifying. I know,” Giffords, who now leads a gun control group and whose husband is Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, said on X. “I’m holding former President Trump, and all those affected by today’s indefensible act of violence in my heart. Political violence is un-American and is never acceptable — never.”

The Republican Jewish Coalition

One of the first Jewish organizations to weigh in was the Republican Jewish Coalition, which has pledged $15 million to help elect Trump, and an additional $5 million to be raised from donors and an affiliated political action committee.

“We pray for refuah shlema — a complete recovery and healing — for President Trump,” the RJC said in a release attached to an Associated Press photo of a bloodied Trump raising his fist in defiance after the shooting. “We know President Trump will return stronger and more determined than ever to Make America Great Again.”

“Make America Great Again” is the Trump campaign slogan. The RJC CEO, Matt Brooks, is set to speak next week at the Milwaukee convention where Trump will be formally nominated, a first for the organization.

The Jewish Democratic Council of America

The Jewish Democratic Council of America said it was “alarmed by the shooting at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania this afternoon,” and wished Trump a “speedy” recovery. “Political violence has no place in our country.”

The American Jewish Committee

Ted Deutch, CEO of the American Jewish Committee and former Florida Democratic congressman whose district in 2018 encompassed Parkland High, said on X that “we are all shocked and traumatized by what happened. We must come together to condemn political violence. We are all Americans. Whatever our politics.”

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, leader of the Union for Reform Judaism

Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

“An attempt on the life of Donald Trump. A heinous crime, one that can only be condemned, and which shows how serious the global challenges to democracy are right now. Violence in any form and anywhere must not prevail.”

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Georgia

“I join all Georgians and Americans in condemning this despicable act of violence and pray former President Trump makes a full recovery. I thank the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement for their swift response. Political violence is never acceptable and can never be tolerated.”

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Florida

Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat who received national attention in 2018 when a gunman in the district he then represented in the state legislature killed 17 people at Parkland High School, said he was “praying for the former President.”

“This is not how we settle our differences,” he said on X. “This is why crazy people shouldn’t have guns.”

J.B. Pritzker, Democratic governor of Illinois

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the Orthodox Union

Josh Stein, North Carolina Democratic gubernatorial nominee

Nathan Diament, executive director of the Orthodox Union

The JTA contributed to this report.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount