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Middle East allies, adversaries condemn 'disgrace' at US Capitol

Leaders across the region responded with alarm to the violence that unfolded at the US Capitol.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 06: Protesters supporting U.S. President Donald Trump break into the U.S. Capitol on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Congress held a joint session today to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's 306-232 Electoral College win over President Donald Trump.  Pro-Trump protesters entered the U.S. Capitol building during demonstrations in the nation's capital.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The unprecedented scenes of violence in Washington on Wednesday drew a mix of shock, sadness and thinly veiled schadenfreude in the Middle East, with adversaries and allies alike condemning what many described as an assault on American democracy. 

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the rampage “a disgraceful act.” The Israeli leader, who has enjoyed a warm relationship with outgoing President Donald Trump, spoke alongside US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was in Jerusalem. 

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