Netanyahu: ‘There Is No Place for Violence’ After Shooting Attempt on Trump at WHCD
Reflecto News | Breaking News | World Politics
JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the “repeated attempt to assassinate” former U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, declaring that “there is no place for violence—not against political leaders and not against anyone.”
In a statement issued from Jerusalem, Netanyahu expressed shock at the attack that forced Trump, his wife, and senior administration officials to be evacuated from the Washington Hilton after a gunman opened fire at a Secret Service checkpoint. The prime minister’s remarks add Israel to the growing list of U.S. allies expressing solidarity with Trump after the incident.
Netanyahu’s Statement: Full Text
“My wife and I were shocked to hear about the repeated attempt to assassinate President Trump and his wife.
There is no place for violence—not against political leaders and not against anyone.”
— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The statement was brief but direct, reflecting both personal concern for Trump and a broader principle condemning political violence. Netanyahu’s reference to a “repeated attempt” acknowledges the two other known assassination attempts on Trump’s life in recent years, including the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally shooting and the Palm Beach, Florida, golf course incident.
A Personal Bond: Netanyahu and Trump
The relationship between Netanyahu and Trump has been one of the closest between any Israeli prime minister and U.S. president in modern history.
Key milestones in the Trump-Netanyahu relationship:
| Year | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Trump’s first foreign visit as president | Chose Israel as destination |
| 2017 | Jerusalem recognition | Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital |
| 2018 | Embassy move | U.S. Embassy relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem |
| 2019 | Golan Heights recognition | Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over Golan |
| 2020 | Abraham Accords | Brokered normalization between Israel and four Arab nations |
| 2025 | Netanyahu’s pardon request | Trump publicly pressured Israeli President Herzog to grant clemency |
Netanyahu has consistently described Trump as the “best friend Israel has ever had in the White House.” Their personal rapport has remained strong even as Netanyahu has faced political turmoil at home, including his ongoing corruption trial and President Herzog’s recent decision against granting him a pardon.
‘Repeated Attempt’: Netanyahu’s Reference to Multiple Threats
Netanyahu’s phrase “repeated attempt to assassinate” is significant. It refers to the now three known assassination attempts against Trump:
| Incident | Location | Date | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butler rally shooting | Butler, Pennsylvania | July 2024 | Trump wounded in ear; rally attendee killed |
| Palm Beach golf course | West Palm Beach, Florida | September 2024 | Suspect apprehended; Trump unharmed |
| WHCD shooting | Washington, D.C. | April 25, 2026 | Suspect in custody; Secret Service agent wounded |
Netanyahu’s acknowledgment of this pattern underscores the gravity of the threat facing the former president, who remains an active political figure and the leading candidate for the 2028 Republican nomination.
‘There Is No Place for Violence’: A Principle Beyond Politics
The prime minister’s broader condemnation — “not against political leaders and not against anyone” — carries particular weight given Israel’s own long and painful history of political assassinations.
Notable political assassinations in Israeli history:
| Victim | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Yitzhak Rabin | Prime Minister | 1995 |
| Rehavam Ze’evi | Tourism Minister | 2001 |
Netanyahu himself has faced multiple security threats throughout his political career. In October 2023, Hezbollah drones targeted his private residence in Caesarea. In 2024, his home was among several targeted by a Hezbollah drone strike that caused structural damage.
By stating “not against anyone,” Netanyahu extends the principle beyond the protection of political figures to the protection of all civilians — a universal value that transcends national and political boundaries.
International Support: Netanyahu Joins Global Leaders
Netanyahu’s statement follows similar expressions of solidarity from world leaders after the WHCD shooting:
| Country/Leader | Response |
|---|---|
| India (Modi) | “Relieved” that Trump is safe; stands with U.S. against violence |
| Mexico (Sheinbaum) | “Great” that Trumps are well; “violence should never be the way” |
| UK (Starmer) | “Shocked” but “grateful” for Secret Service response |
| France (Macron) | Expressed “solidarity with the American people” |
| Germany (Scholz) | Condemned “any attack on democratic institutions” |
| Israel (Netanyahu) | “There is no place for violence” |
Netanyahu’s response — while brief — is among the most personal, specifically mentioning both Trump and his wife by name. The phrase “my wife and I” adds a familial tone that distinguishes his statement from more formal diplomatic language.
The Suspect: What We Know
The suspect in the WHCD shooting has been identified as Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old resident of Torrance, California, armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives when he rushed a Secret Service checkpoint at the Washington Hilton. He was tackled and handcuffed without being struck by gunfire .
One Secret Service agent was shot at close range but saved by his bulletproof vest. President Trump later spoke with the agent, who was reported to be “doing great” and in “high spirits” .
Trump’s Response: Gratitude and Defiance
President Trump addressed the incident from the White House briefing room hours after the evacuation, calling the suspect a “sick person” and a “would-be assassin.” He also revealed that First Lady Melania Trump recognized the sound of gunfire before he did:
“I thought it was a drop of a tray. It sounded like it was pretty far away. But she knew instantly what it was. She said, ‘That sound is not good.'”
— President Donald Trump
Trump also announced that the White House Correspondents’ Dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days, adding: “We’ll just, plain, have to do it again.”
Netanyahu’s Domestic Challenges: The Pardon Question
Netanyahu’s expression of solidarity with Trump comes amid his own legal and political struggles. Just days before the WHCD shooting, Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced he would not grant Netanyahu a pardon for now, instead pushing for a plea deal in the prime minister’s long-running corruption trial.
Trump has repeatedly and publicly pressured Herzog to grant the pardon, calling the Israeli president “weak and pathetic” and “disgraceful.” Herzog’s office rejected the external interference, stating Israel “is a sovereign state governed by the rule of law.”
Netanyahu’s trial, which began in 2020, is due to resume this week after being put on hold during the recent Iran war. The prime minister faces charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust — all of which he denies, calling the case a “witch hunt.”
What Comes Next
Diplomatic communications between Israel and the United States are expected to continue as both nations navigate overlapping crises:
- Security cooperation – Israel remains a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, particularly following the recent Iran war
- Gaza and Lebanon fronts – Israel continues to face multiple security challenges on its borders
- U.S.-Israel relations – Trump and Netanyahu’s personal bond has historically translated into strong bilateral ties
Netanyahu’s statement — though brief — serves to reaffirm the strength of that relationship at a moment when both leaders face significant challenges at home and abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What did Prime Minister Netanyahu say about the attack on Trump?
Netanyahu said: “My wife and I were shocked to hear about the repeated attempt to assassinate President Trump and his wife. There is no place for violence—not against political leaders and not against anyone.”
Q2: When did Netanyahu make this statement?
The statement was issued from Jerusalem on Sunday, April 26, 2026, following the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner the previous evening.
Q3: Why did Netanyahu mention a “repeated attempt to assassinate” Trump?
Netanyahu was referring to the now three known attempts on Trump’s life: the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally shooting (July 2024), the Palm Beach, Florida, golf course incident (September 2024), and the WHCD shooting (April 2026).
Q4: Has Trump responded to Netanyahu’s statement?
As of this publication, President Trump has not issued a direct response to Netanyahu’s statement, though the two leaders maintain regular communication.
Q5: Does Netanyahu have a personal relationship with Trump?
Yes. Netanyahu and Trump developed a close personal rapport during Trump’s presidency, with Trump frequently describing himself as the “best friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”
Q6: How has Israel experienced political violence?
Israel has experienced two prime ministerial assassinations: Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated in 1995, and Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze’evi was assassinated in 2001. Netanyahu himself has been targeted multiple times, including a Hezbollah drone attack on his Caesarea residence in October 2023.
Q7: What is the status of Netanyahu’s own legal troubles?
Netanyahu is on trial for charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust — charges he denies. Israeli President Isaac Herzog recently announced he would not grant Netanyahu a pardon for now, instead pushing for a negotiated plea deal.
Q8: Are there other world leaders who have condemned the attack?
Yes. Leaders from India, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the European Union, and many other nations have expressed solidarity with the United States and relief that Trump was unharmed.
Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Who | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu |
| What he said | “Shocked” by “repeated attempt to assassinate” Trump; “no place for violence” |
| When | Sunday, April 26, 2026 |
| Context | Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner |
| Personal connection | Netanyahu and Trump have a close personal and political relationship |
| Broader principle | Violence unacceptable against political leaders or anyone |
| Israel’s history | Multiple political assassinations; Netanyahu himself targeted |
| Current status | Netanyahu faces own legal challenges with ongoing corruption trial |
Sources and Further Reading
Reflecto News has compiled this report from verified sources including Prime Minister Netanyahu’s official statement, The Associated Press, Reuters, The Times of Israel, and other international news outlets. All information is accurate as of publication.
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