President Biden issues statement on anniversary of Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting

American President Joe Biden issued a statement Thursday on the four-year anniversary of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, which took the lives of eleven Jewish worshippers, and wounded six, including several Holocaust survivors

Taking place during Shabbat morning services at the Tree of Life, or L’Simcha Congregation Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, Pensylvania, it was the deadliest attack ever on the Jewish community in the United States.

In a statement, President Biden said: “In the four years since that terrible day, the people of Pittsburgh have shown us what it means to be stronger than hate,

“Welcoming the community to Torah study sessions. Showing their support for refugees and immigrants. Reimagining the Tree of Life synagogue as both sanctuary and memorial. The courage and character of the Pittsburgh community remains an inspiration to us all.

“We stand with the community of Squirrel Hill – and Jewish communities across America and around the world – in resolving to combat antisemitism and hate in all of its forms. This is especially true as we witness an ugly increase in antisemitism in America.”

President Biden listed his administration’s efforts to curb the threat of antisemitic attacks including appointing the first Ambassador-level Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Holocaust expert Deborah Lipstadt, and working with Congress to secure the largest-ever increase in funding for the security of synagogues and other religious institutions.

He also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackle “the scourge of gun violence that has stolen lives from Pittsburgh to Poway, from Newton to Charleston, from Buffalo to Uvalde, and from other countless other communities in between.”

President Biden also noted that his administration brought together Republicans and Democrats to pass the most significant gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years.

“The Rabbis teach that 'what comes from the heart, enters the heart.' On this difficult day, our hearts are with the families of the victims, the survivors, and all those impacted by the Tree of Life shooting. May their memories be a blessing, and may we continue to bridge the gap between the world we see and the future we seek.”

Tree of Life synagogue shooting

Visitors look at inspired artworks along a fence at the Tree of Life Synagogue (Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Tree of life synagogue shooting

Mourners honour the victims outside the Tree of Life Synagogue (Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Tree of Life synagogue shooting

Group holds a vigil outside the Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach to remember the victims of the mass shooting at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life temple (Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Tree of life synagogue shooting

Young boy stands with 2 Pittsburgh City Police as attendees gather for a public memorial service honouring the lives lost in the attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue (Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Tree of Life synagogue shooting

Attendees, some wearing yellow Jewish badges, listen a public memorial service honouring the lives lost in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (Credit: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)